Hydrocarbon Leak Intensifies in Os River at Aixovall Despite Containment
A repeat hydrocarbon spill at the same Os River outflow point as October 2023 has worsened, evading barriers amid heavy rains, prompting ongoing.
Key Points
- Leak detected Dec 20 at prior October 2023 site; intensified recently, escaping booms and mats.
- Heavy rains and river flows hinder containment; watergate barrier added Dec 23.
- Technicians probe source; ministry reviews local hydrocarbon storage facilities.
- Residents and businesses express concerns; no company claims responsibility.
A hydrocarbon leak into the Os River at Aixovall, at the exact same outflow point as an incident in October 2023, has intensified in recent days despite containment efforts, forcing officials to adjust retention systems after fuel escaped initial barriers.
Environment Department technicians, supported by industrial safety operatives, continue probing the source amid admissions from officials under Guillem Casal that the leak has worsened rather than eased. Local residents and some business owners voice worries, with several companies confirming their sites are not responsible. Heavy rains and variable river flows have hindered containment, requiring ongoing tweaks to absorbent booms, mats, and other devices.
The pollution was first detected on Saturday, December 20, with very low hydrocarbon traces prompting an immediate response from Environment teams and firefighters, who deployed booms and absorbent mats. Daily checks involve replacing materials and monitoring levels through a surface water quality probe.
On December 23, after concentrations spiked, firefighters added a "watergate" barrier, and a specialist firm was contracted for maintenance and fuel extraction. The ministry has re-examined nearby industrial facilities and requested industrial safety reviews of all local hydrocarbon storage sites. Investigations to identify the precise origin remain underway.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: