The Environmental Guard has issued fines totaling 795,000 lei following inspections into the unbearable odor reported in Bucharest and Ilfov

The National Environmental Guard (GNM) imposed fines totaling 795,000 lei, ordered three suspensions of activity, filed a criminal complaint, and confiscated a piece of equipment following 55 inspections conducted after the unbearable odor experienced in Bucharest and Ilfov on August 17 and 18, 2026.

Inspectors identified two potential sources of the olfactory nuisance: the waste landfill in Vidra and the wastewater treatment plant in Glina.

At Vidra, incomplete landfill gas capture, caused by insufficient waste compaction, resulted in a fine of 40,000 lei and the imposition of 11 compliance measures.

At Glina, problems were identified with sludge dewatering and transportation, biogas management, and the operation of odorization and neutralization installations. The inspection showed that some systems were non-functional, while the sludge was transported and stored under conditions that could facilitate the spread of odors.

GNM sent the report to the Ministry of Health and is requesting a joint order with the Ministry of the Environment for integrated inspections together with the public health directorates. The institution emphasizes that more than 1,300 complaints were received during the period analyzed, although official measurements did not indicate exceedances of pollution limits. Over the past year and a half, GNM has sent the Public Health Directorates 3,750 complaints regarding olfactory nuisance.