Being a transboundary river the Okhchuchay has always been severely polluted with industrial disposals in the territory of Armenia, since it was used as a collector for industrial facilities along the river, which made its water resources unusable in the territory of Azerbaijan.
Report informs that Qatar's The Peninsula has published an article headlined 'Azerbaijan raises alarm at transboundary pollution of Okhchuchay River.'
The newspaper notes that In the Republic of Azerbaijan, about 70% of the water resources of the country surface are heavily dependent on the external inflow of waters from neighbouring countries. Okhchuchay River water resources are widely used for irrigation purposes. The lower course of the river flows through Zangilan region of Azerbaijan – the recently liberated territory from the occupation and flows to the Araz River. Its flow is formed by snow, rain and groundwater.
Excessive release of heavy metals into the river by Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine and Kapan Mining and Processing Plant in Armenia at the upper part of the Okhchuchay River, destroys not only the fluvial fauna, but is also extremely dangerous for the human health. Usage of the contaminated water can lead to detrimental diseases, such as gastrointestinal tracts disease, destruction of kidneys and bone tissue, as well as disorders of cardiovascular, nervous and hematopoietic systems. The acknowledgement of the fact of ignoring the world eco-standards by these two enterprises has been highlighted in the reports by the government agencies of Armenia, as well as the Armenian environmental activists.
Laboratory analysis of water samples taken during January – March 2021 period have revealed a high content of heavy metals, specifically, copper, molybdenum, manganese, iron, zinc and chromium.
According to the report by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MENR), the content of copper-molybdenum compound - 2 times, iron - 4 times and nickel - even 7 times was higher than the norm. Periodically, the color of the Okhchuchay River changes either to a white or to an acid-yellow one. A mass trout mortality in the river was recorded in March 2021.
Latest river water and sedimentation sample analysis were conducted at internationally accredited and certified SGS laboratory in Germany based on the order by the MENR. The results of tests of water samples taken from the Okhchuchay River revealed a high content of heavy metals, specifically, iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, chromium, nickel and others in surface waters of the river, while the excessive concentration of hazardous substances in sediment sampling shows that contamination level of the river is critical.
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan has appealed to the international organizations on the environmental hazards and critical situation of Okhchuchay River raising public awareness on environmental risks for the river and its ecosystem due to continuous pollution.
Along with international organizations, MENR also appealed to the German Bundestag, its Green Fraction to draw their attention to this matter highlighting the serious threat for the environment and human health.