Greek police arrested a 55-year-old man on 28 September after alkaline wastewater from a Metamorfosi concrete plant leaked into the Kifisos River.
The suspect was held in connection with environmental law violations after inspectors found liquid waste escaping from the site. Officers confirmed the man was responsible for ensuring the facility complied with mandatory environmental protection terms.
The operation was uncovered during a joint inspection conducted by officers from the Environmental Protection Department of the General Regional Police Directorate of Attica, known as GADA, alongside regional inspectors from the Region of Attica.
Inspectors located the spill at a ready-mix concrete production unit situated near the riverbank. Liquid waste was escaping from a treatment unit and specifically from a settling tank positioned close to the edge of the river.
Outside the perimeter fence of the industrial site, officers observed a continuous flow of liquid. The escaping effluent had formed a small stream on the ground surface before running into the waterway.
Wastewater testing and environmental regulations
Initial macroscopic examinations and field testing using pH indicator paper confirmed that the escaping liquid had an alkaline reaction. According to the Hellenic Police, the discharge resulted in the direct pollution of the Kifisos River and created a risk to public health.
Environmental officers collected liquid samples from the site and submitted them for laboratory analysis. The tests will determine the exact chemical composition of the waste and evaluate the extent of the environmental damage.
Ready-mix concrete manufacturing involves washing out mixer drums, aggregate processing and equipment maintenance, which generates high-pH wastewater containing dissolved calcium hydroxide. If released untreated, alkaline runoff can drastically alter the pH of natural streams and threaten aquatic organisms.
The Kifisos River is the principal natural waterway traversing the Athens basin, flowing from Mount Parnitha down into Phaleron Bay. Metamorfosi, a suburban municipality in northern Athens, sits along this industrial corridor where commercial operations frequently abut the riverbed.
Ongoing enforcement along the river corridor
The river has long suffered from environmental degradation due to surrounding industrial development and urban runoff. Authorities noted that every pollution incident highlights the critical need for strict monitoring of facilities near the river channel.
Police have compiled a legal case file against the 55-year-old suspect for violations of environmental protection laws. Hellenic Police officials stated that inspections across Attica remain ongoing daily to detect environmental violations and safeguard public health.
