Enhanced patrols in the Marmara Sea lead to the shutdown of 55 facilities and the issuance of over $20 million in fines
The Marmara region, a critical ecological hotspot in Turkey, is facing challenges in upgrading its wastewater treatment facilities to meet the advanced biological treatment standards set by the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
Despite a deadline of June 15, 2025, only 42 out of 169 submitted project plans have been completed, resulting in a minimal increase in the advanced treatment rate from 51% in 2021 to 51.7% in 2025. This slow progress has raised concerns about the region's compliance with environmental regulations.
In response to these delays, the Ministry has intensified its enforcement actions. Since January 2025, inspections covered 5,638 facilities, leading to the closure of 55 facilities and the issuance of fines exceeding ₺822.5 million (approximately $20.3 million). The Ministry conducted broad inspections involving 50-person teams and 24 accredited environmental labs to verify compliance with treatment standards and environmental regulations across seven coastal provinces in the Marmara region.
Specific penalties were applied to facilities that failed to upgrade, including wastewater treatment plants in Tekirdag and municipalities like Balikesir and Yalova for untreated discharges. Notably, the Sarkoy Deep Sea Discharge Wastewater Treatment Plant and Marmara Ereglisi Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tekirdag were fined ₺6.687 million ($165,000) for not adopting advanced biological treatment.
These enforcement measures are part of a broader 22-Point Marmara Sea Protection Action Plan initiated after the mucilage crisis in 2021, emphasizing nutrient load reduction from wastewater discharges to restore and maintain the ecological balance of the Marmara Sea. Additionally, the Ministry is implementing measures to inspect maritime vessels for pollution, with 34,467 vessels inspected and fines issued to 60 vessels as of 2025.
In summary, while wastewater treatment infrastructure improvements in the Marmara Basin lag behind mandated schedules, the Ministry is actively enforcing compliance through inspections, fines, and closures to mitigate further environmental harm, particularly to the sensitive Marmara Sea ecosystem. The ongoing efforts aim to ensure the region adheres to the stringent environmental standards set forth by the Ministry and to protect the health and biodiversity of the Marmara Sea.
[1] Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Press Release, June 23, 2023.
- The Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change is taking steps to improve environmental science in the Marmara region, specifically in the area of climate-change, by enforcing regulations on industries related to wastewater treatment, such as the Sarkoy Deep Sea Discharge Wastewater Treatment Plant and Marmara Ereglisi Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tekirdag.
- To meet the advanced biological treatment standards set by the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the industry in the Marmara region, including wastewater treatment plants, is being assessed and fined for non-compliance, with environmental-science playing a crucial role in the evaluation process.
- In light of the slow progress in upgrading wastewater treatment facilities in the Marmara region, the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has implemented financial penalties and closed facilities that fail to meet environmental regulations, showcasing the importance of finance in environmental conservation efforts.
