Post by Hoppy on Jul 10, 2006 12:52:22 GMT -1
Menai Strait pollution incident 09.07.06 - update
An investigation into the source of a second oil slick affecting the Menai Straits is continuing today say Environment Agency Wales. The oil is believed to be a mixture of diesel and heating oil from the same source as the one which occurred two weeks ago.
The latest slick is thought to be the result of the heavy rainfall that fell in the area on Saturday night. This had the effect of scouring the pipework and washing down residual oil remaining there. The second incident resulted in a smaller slick, originally about one mile in length.
Since the previous incident a considerable amount of work has been carried out in order to remove oil from tanks and pipework on the semi-abandoned factory site from which the original slick is believed to have come.
The pollution was reported to Environment Agency Wales early yesterday morning (Sunday 09/07/06). The nature of the oil meant that natural wave action and evaporation reduced and
dispersed it.
We are working with local councils, Countryside Council for Wales and the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) in an operation to deal with the situation.
It is too early to assess what environmental impact there could be following this incident, but all agencies are closely monitoring the situation at present.
An investigation into the source of a second oil slick affecting the Menai Straits is continuing today say Environment Agency Wales. The oil is believed to be a mixture of diesel and heating oil from the same source as the one which occurred two weeks ago.
The latest slick is thought to be the result of the heavy rainfall that fell in the area on Saturday night. This had the effect of scouring the pipework and washing down residual oil remaining there. The second incident resulted in a smaller slick, originally about one mile in length.
Since the previous incident a considerable amount of work has been carried out in order to remove oil from tanks and pipework on the semi-abandoned factory site from which the original slick is believed to have come.
The pollution was reported to Environment Agency Wales early yesterday morning (Sunday 09/07/06). The nature of the oil meant that natural wave action and evaporation reduced and
dispersed it.
We are working with local councils, Countryside Council for Wales and the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) in an operation to deal with the situation.
It is too early to assess what environmental impact there could be following this incident, but all agencies are closely monitoring the situation at present.