Deadly cyanide spill and sewage leak into a river in the UK
On the 4th of October 2009, officials reported the leak of cyanide into a 50 kilometer length of the river Trent in Staffordshire, UK. The origin of the leak was not immediately determined.
The Environment Agency reported that the resultant pollution created a health risk and farmers, boaters and fishermen were urgently warned not to use any water from the river.
Many fish died as a result of the spillage. Fortunately, no human contamination has been reported.
Clean-up crews on the scene were using hydrogen peroxide to neutralize the effects of the spillage.
An official in charge of Trent Water resources said that the leak of cyanide into the river, from an unknown source, had disabled a water treatment plant and a discharge of raw sewage into the river had occurred.
The Severn Trent water company reported problems at its Strongford sewage treatment works when partially treated waste began to enter the river. The cyanide contamination was confirmed on Tuesday evening after analysis of water samples. Experts realised that it was the presence of cyanide, a colourless, soluble toxin, that had disrupted the sewage treatment by destroying the organisms (bacteria) used to treat waste.
A spokeswoman said that the source of the leak had not yet been determined but that an investigation was ongoing.
The levels of cyanide and raw sewage were such as “to cause concern, especially regarding fish, wildlife and animals” according to the spokeswoman. In fact, the Agency reported cyanide levels were 1 part per million and apparently the only damage involved thousands of dead fish in the river.
The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Protection of Animals) was put on alert to send a team to assess the situation. It was of particular concern to keep people, livestock, and house pets out of the contaminated area.
According to a report in the Times newspaper, drinking water is not at risk since water is not taken from the river or its branches.
However, the public is advised to keep away from the contaminated area.
Officials are checking local companies operating in the area such as metal-plating, mining and agriculture which worked with toxic substances such as cyanide.
Clean-up operations are under way using aerators or oxyjets — a system of pumps on a trailer — which take in river water and inject it with hydrogen peroxide before the water is then sprayed back into the river. Two aerators, manned by a team of three or four staff, are being operated 24 hours a day.
Sources:
BBC news. Oct. 7 2009. Warning over River Trent cyanide. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/8293898.stm
The Times of London, Oct.8, 2009. Hunt is on for source of cyanide that poisoned River Trent. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6865321.ece
The Independent newspaper: Oct.8, 2009. Clean-up begins after cyanide pollutes Trent. http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/cleanup-begins-after-cyanide-pollutes-trent-1799284.htm