State-built pond in Malatya turns into wastewater dump, posing health threat
An artificial pond, located near one of the city’s prime recreational areas, has nearly become a public health hazard in Malatya. Sewage and chemical effluents discharged into Şahnahan River, a vital artery of the city, accumulate in the pond, compounding environmental and health concerns.
31.03.2025
In Malatya, an earthquake-stricken eastern province of Turkey, a pond on the Beyler Stream is inflicting significant environmental and public health damage due to the discharge of sewage waste. Located near Gündüzbey and Çırmıhtı, the pond –a popular weekend retreat for residents seeking fresh air – was constructed in 2016 by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI). Adjacent to this site is the City Park, developed by the Malatya Yeşilyurt Municipality a few years ago.
Yeşilyurt, celebrated for its picturesque center with its historical houses and recreational areas, is a town steeped in natural beauty and renowned for its cherries. The nearby Gündüzbey is renowned for its peaches. Both towns are located close to Malatya’s outskirts, which is witnessing rapid development with new settlements and housing projects along Beyler River, one of the city’s most vital water streams. Among these is the housing complex of the Mass Housing Development Administration (commonly known as TOKİ), currently under construction near the state-built pond, and expected to comprise thousands of homes. On the opposite bank of the City Park lies the Malatya 1st Organized Industrial Zone.
At the pond’s source, sewage water flowing from beneath a historic train bridge converges with waste from both the TOKİ housing project and the Organized Industrial Zone. On one side, industrial effluent from a repurposed military area merging with sewage from local settlements discolors the stream and emits foul odors. This contamination not only fosters a surge in mosquito and housefly populations, but also jeopardizes nearby agricultural lands, particularly when used to irrigate apricot orchards and vegetable gardens.
Beyler and Şahanahan rivers have been severely polluted by the confluence of wastewater streams. Photo: Celil Kocataş
Mehmet Önal, a geology expert and retired professor who worked as a lecturer at Malatya’s Inönü University, contended that the geological characteristics of the area were disregarded during the construction of the reservoir. “The formation of the Beyler River dam is porous, permeable, and tilts to the north, attributes that are fundamentally unsuited for dam construction, thereby severely compromising its water retention capacity,” he said. As a result, the pond has transformed into a receptacle for accumulated waste. Önal further warned that the İkizce housing project, destined to house thousands of earthquake victims, is also underway in this same area. “If the wastewater from the İkizce earthquake residences is funneled into the pond, the magnitude of the environmental disaster will intensify,” he cautioned.
Among the most pressing concerns is the TOKİ housing complex. With projections reaching 20,000 housing units in this arid region, the surrounding area is already marred by a pervasive sewage odor and an abundance of flies due to the polluted pond. There are also apprehensions that the pond may contain not only sewage but chemical waste from nearby factories. Both the waters of Şahnahan River, used by many factories for waste disposal, and the waters of Beyler River are employed in irrigating fruit trees in local housing estates. Food engineers have warned that using contaminated water for irrigation could introduce harmful chemicals into crops, lead to soil accumulation, and eventually contaminate groundwater and surface waters, precipitating widespread pollution.
Beyler and Şahnahan rivers are integral to Malatya’s ecological balance, nurturing rich biodiversity by providing habitats for myriad plant and animal species, and serving as a crucial water source for agriculture. Thus, preventing further pollution and protecting the rivers in this area is essential for preserving both natural ecosystems and human health.
Pollution in and around the pond produces a pervasive odor and a proliferation of flies. Photo: Celil Kocataş
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