One of the largest projects to clean up contaminated sites is completed
One of the most extensive contaminated sites management projects, backed by EU support, has reached completion, with nearly €2 million invested in the remediation of a contaminated site in the southeast part of Šiauliai. The affected area spans both sides of Aviacijos Street, encompassing the former Soviet-era Zokniai Airport fuel depot and its surroundings.
Comprehensive ecological surveys conducted on the 33-hectare site unveiled a substantial legacy of petroleum contamination. Groundwater in the majority of the area exceeded permissible limit concentrations by factors ranging from hundreds to thousands. Additionally, contaminants such as benzene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and toluene were identified in the groundwater.
To address these environmental challenges, extensive efforts were undertaken to remediate the contaminated area and mitigate historical pollution. The project specifically focused on remediating contaminated groundwater in a 13-hectare section. This intervention has significantly curtailed the adverse impacts on the environment and human health.
This project marked the conclusion of one of the largest initiatives under the 2014-2020 Operational Programme for Investment of European Union Funds, falling under Priority 5, "Environment, Sustainable Use of Natural Resources, and Adaptation to Climate Change," within Measure 05.6.1-APVA-V-020, "Management of Contaminated Territories."
Implemented by the Environmental Project Management Agency (EPA), a total of 44 projects were executed under this measure, leading to the cleanup of 50 potentially contaminated sites covering an overall area of 34.42 hectares. These projects received €15 million in funding from the Cohesion Fund, with municipal administrations and the Lithuanian Armed Forces among the eligible applicants.
Information sourced from the Environmental Project Management Agency.