Tarmo Tehva, head of the Harjumaa office of the Environmental Board, said that the Environmental Board agreed with the company that owns Suur-Sõjamäe hazardous waste collection center on the initial plan to eliminate environmental pollution. The company has already started operations. "The company must eliminate the risk of environmental damage caused by the fire. For example, they have to clean the ditches located in the immediate vicinity of the company from polluted extinguishing water and ensure the collection and handling of non-compliant extinguishing water that has reached the environment through rainwater sewerage," said Tehva.
The company's representatives must also find out the impact of the pollution on the groundwater and periodically analyze the substandard water located in the Mõigu polder's rainwater system. "In the final stage of the work, the Environmental Board wants us to be presented with a pollution study and an expert opinion on the extent of pollution by the company, along with soil sampling and follow-up tests. The work will certainly take time and will continue throughout the summer months," Tehva specified.
On May 23, the Emergency Center received a report that a hazardous waste collection center caught fire on Suur-Sõjamäe street in the village of Soodevahe. The fire was extensive, due to the extinguishing water, there is non-compliant contaminated extinguishing water in several ditches in the Suur-Sõjamäe area. Based on current knowledge, there is no direct danger to people.
The Environmental Board started criminal proceedings regarding the Suur-Sõjamäe street fire. Criminal proceedings have been initiated according to § 365 of the Penal Code, which deals with environmental pollution due to carelessness. The investigation is conducted by the Environmental Board and led by the North District Prosecutor's Office.
