Criminal complaint filed after Cosmopolis complex inspection; Environment Minister decries 'attack on public health'

Romanian authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against the operator responsible for water and sewage services at the Cosmopolis residential complex near Bucharest. The Ministry of Environment announced the completion of an inspection by the National Environmental Guard and the Ilfov County Inspectorate, which uncovered potential irregularities in the discharge of domestic wastewater into the Crețuleasca accumulation lake, part of the Pasărea river valley.

During the inspection, authorities observed what they described as black, foul-smelling wastewater being released into the lake. This finding has led to the filing of a criminal complaint against the utility operator. Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu condemned the actions, stating, "What happened in the Cosmopolis case is not a simple breach of the law, it is an act of irresponsibility, it is a direct attack on the public health of an entire community." She emphasized that authorities are demanding strict controls and firm sanctions.

The investigation revealed that the complex's wastewater infrastructure includes a treatment plant and four storage basins. Treated wastewater is then directed to a retention basin before being discharged into the Crețuleasca lake via two pipelines. While the water management authorization also allowed for discharge into municipal networks in Tunari and Ștefăneștii de Jos, these were not in use during the verification period.

The control process began on March 31, 2026, when initial observations of strong odors and the functioning treatment plant prompted requests for sample collection. The operator initially failed to provide the necessary documentation. A follow-up inspection on May 27, 2026, involved representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Guard, and the Ilfov County Inspectorate. Water samples were subsequently collected on June 3, 2026, by the National Water Administration – SGA Ilfov laboratory.

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What happened in the Cosmopolis case is not a simple breach of the law, it is an act of irresponsibility, it is a direct attack on the public health of an entire community.