Ongoing sewage discharge into the Caspian Sea verified by Daghestan's health officials.

In a recent development, the Consumer Rights and Human Welfare Service of Russia has identified a systematic discharge of treated sewage into the Caspian Sea near the Berezka beach. This discharge, linked to the regular mass deaths of Caspian seals, has been a cause for concern since it was first reported in February 2023.

The initial inspection was conducted in January following complaints from local residents. The findings revealed a threat to the sanitary and epidemiological safety of the population and a disruption to the ecological balance of the region. Laboratory results showed exceedances of hygiene standards in sea water samples collected at beaches in Makhachkala and Kaspiysk, leading to a swimming ban in affected areas.

The Consumer Rights Service has been attempting to address this issue for more than six months. In June 2025, they imposed a fine of ₽10,000 ($122) on the city administration for failing to comply with orders. Despite court decisions coming into force, the Makhachkala city administration did not stop the sewage discharge.

The discharge of sewage is not a new issue in the Caspian Sea. Traditional sources of pollution include oil production, toxic substances entering from the Volga and Kura rivers, and the activities of the Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy, based in Kaspiysk, Daghestan.

In response to the issue, the agency filed a lawsuit with the Soviet Court of Makhachkala demanding that the violations be corrected. The court granted the claim, and in May, the Supreme Court of Daghestan upheld the decision, which then came into legal force.

Beaches, including Berezka, were equipped with warning signs indicating the swimming ban. However, no signs of violence or fishing activity were found on the animals' bodies, suggesting that the possible causes under consideration include hypoxia caused by natural gas emissions from the seabed and possible viral infections.

The agency's statement came in response to footage published by the independent local media outlet Chernovik on Thursday. The footage shows two sites where dark liquid emerges from the ground, forming streams flowing into the sea.

Addressing the systematic discharge of treated sewage into the Caspian Sea near Berezka beach requires cooperation from various parties, including governmental authorities, environmental organisations, and local communities. Education and awareness campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and legal action are among the potential solutions being considered.

For more detailed information on current efforts to address this issue, we recommend reaching out to local authorities or environmental organisations.

Between late 2022 and December 2022, 313 carcasses of Caspian seals were found on the Daghestan coast and between Makhachkala and Kaspiysk, and approximately 2,500 were found in December 2022. The Caspian seals, listed in the Russian Red Book in 2020, are a vital part of the Caspian Sea ecosystem, and their declining numbers highlight the urgency of addressing this issue.

Ongoing sewage discharge into the Caspian Sea verified by Daghestan's health officials.