River beds were cleaned with construction machinery

Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration (SASKİ) General Directorate teams cleaned the channels and stream beds that discharge rainwater into the sea. In 2024, the Operation and Maintenance Department of the Sewerage Directorate cleaned 6 out of 37 streams in central districts from tons of sediment, covering a total length of 5,250 meters in 5 months. The teams rehabilitated the streams by both improving and cleaning them to prevent potential damages from floodings caused by heavy rainfall.

A total of 37 streams will be cleaned. SASKİ General Directorate identified 37 streams near residential areas in Atakum, İlkadım, Canik, and Tekkeköy districts that pose a risk of flooding, and assigned teams for cleaning. The teams consisting of 3 operators and 4 trucks cleaned 6 streams by removing sediment such as alluvium, gravel, and sand that settled on the bottom, covering a total length of 5,250 meters in the first 5 months of the year. The materials excavated with machinery were loaded onto trucks and disposed of in licensed storage areas. SASKİ, ensuring regular water flow with the conducted work, will systematically rehabilitate the remaining 31 streams by the end of the year.

SASKİ teams cleaned Azot Channel, OSB Channel, and Hıdırellez Stream in Tekkeköy district, as well as Enes Stream and Kamaz Stream in Atakum district. They also cleared Değirmen Stream, starting from Gürcüler mekvisi, covering a length of 2,500 meters from trees and bushes. Subsequently, V channel and environmental arrangements were made, connecting it to Sazak Stream. The teams continue their work on Hamzalı Stream, Elmalı Stream, and Sazak Stream.

Providing information about the works, Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Halit Doğan emphasized that a healthy city can only be built on a strong infrastructure, stating that they do not compromise on infrastructure works not only in the city center but also in 17 districts. Mayor Doğan expressed the significant importance of rehabilitation works for streams alongside the improvement of drinking water, rainwater, and sewerage lines, stating that by cleaning stream beds, they eliminate threats to the environment and public health. He said, “In order to protect the lives and properties of our people, we must keep the streams near residential areas clean and ensure the efficient flow of water. This year, we will clean 37 streams that could pose a danger. Currently, we have cleaned 6 of them, making them no longer a threat to public health. Our ultimate goal is to eliminate threats to public health by purifying our streams from all kinds of pollution and giving the areas where our streams are located a beautiful appearance. Our efforts for a more livable environment will continue without interruption.”