Russian and Norwegian residents protest against waste facility’s smell in Antalya

The waste facility of Antalya Water and Waste Water Department (ASAT) under the Antalya Municipality is causing a foul smell in Antalya’s Merkez neighborhood, according to its residents. 

Norwegian, Russian and Turkish residents in the neighborhood held a protest near the facility by blocking the road in front of their houses that leads to the waste facility. 

They opened a placard which read in Norwegian “We do not want a foul smell.” They also claimed that the facility polluted the air with chemicals, as well as causing a terrible smell all around. 

Norwegian Karl Otto Andersen, who has lived in the area for 10 years, said the problem has remained unsolved for many years now. “It causes a disgusting smell every morning and evening. This smell gets into our houses when we open the windows and we know this is dangerous for our health. Our children come here every year. Maybe we will not bring them anymore. This is not good for Kemer,” said Andersen, who attended the protest. He said that waste facilities are commonly housed in closed facilities unlike the one in Kemer, which has open pools. 

Retired teacher Kemal Usta also said that the pools used in the facility are insufficient and the area is often filled with waste material which spills out of the pools.

“I have lived here for 15 years. We have applied to all authorities. They said, ‘We will do it, we will fix it,’ all the time. They have kept us in vain for years. The smell has increased with the course of time. On television, scientists are saying that these chemicals cause cancer,” said Usta.