25-Apr-2006 - Environment
Agency Wales is investigating an oil spill that
occurred yesterday on the Dee Estuary. The spill
affected the canalised section of the estuary
causing a 7km long slick. The oil entered the
estuary from the Thornleigh Cut, which drains
the Sealand area of Chester and is heavily contaminated.
The cleanup operations are underway.
Various organisations and users
of the estuary have been informed of the situation
so that they can take appropriate action. So far
the impact on the Dee has been limited and much
of the oil has been dispersed by the tides. The
freshwater Dee, above Chester weir, has not been
affected.
Alan Winstone, North Wales Coast
Environment Manager said ' We are closely monitoring
the situation, it seems that the impact of the
spill on the estuary has been limited by our quick
response and the dispersion of the oil by the
tides. We are continuing our efforts to trace
the source of the spill, which could have had
a disastrous impact on the wildlife of this very
special estuary. We don't know yet whether this
was an accidental or deliberate spillage, but
if anyone has any information about the spill
we would be pleased to hear from them via our
0800 80 70 60 hotline. Any calls will be treated
in confidence.
'This incident highlights the
need for everyone to take great care when storing
and handling oil and fuel. Oil is one of the most
common types of pollution reported to us with
most problems caused by oil leaking from tanks
either during storage or delivery. For example
last year there were just under 4,000 oil pollution
incidents - almost 11 every day! There are regulations
which require industrial and commercial sites
to provide the correct storage and handling facilities
to protect the environment and there is plenty
of good practice and advice available on our website
www.environment-agency.gov.uk’
