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A delegation of Russian Federation Council senators, led by Vyacheslav Timchenko, Chairman of the Committee on Parliamentary Procedure and Organization, visited the Mayak factory in the Penza Oblast to evaluate the results of a large-scale environmental project implemented by Mayak and the regional government. The visit was conducted as part of the Federation Council’s Commission on Legislative Oversight in State Control and Supervision.
The senators reviewed the new advanced biological wastewater treatment facilities, which were commissioned in 2024 and represent the best available technology for wastewater treatment in the pulp and paper industry. The facilities are currently operating at full capacity. Governor Oleg Melnichenko emphasized that the quality of the treated water fully meets regulatory standards.
“Laboratory tests confirm that the water meets permissible concentration limits,” he stated.
Vyacheslav Timchenko praised the successful execution of the project:
“It’s clear that the industrial treatment process is running as intended. You made a commitment, and you delivered. This should serve as an example for all businesses in Russia.”
Timchenko noted that during his previous visit a year ago, the project was still in progress, and now the results are tangible. He also highlighted the completion of an industrial waste recycling plant and ongoing work on a stormwater treatment system.
Currently, Mayak is constructing stormwater treatment facilities, which will return purified stormwater to the production cycle. The project is set to be completed by April 2025.
“To eliminate all remaining concerns, we decided to build a stormwater drainage system. Mayak will become the first enterprise in the Penza Region with wastewater treatment facilities that fully comply with all environmental standards,” said Melnichenko.
The governor stressed the importance of balancing industrial development with environmental safety:
“The quality of our wastewater treatment directly impacts the environment and public health. Our priority is to sustain production, support its future growth, preserve jobs, and ensure high ecological standards.”
The working group included First Deputy Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee Viktor Bondarev, Deputy Chairman of the Agrarian Policy and Environmental Management Committee Tatyana Sakharova, and senators from the Penza Oblast Yulia Lazutkina and Nikolay Kondratyuk. Following the site visit, the delegation participated in a video conference with representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.