August 2nd

WATER SUPPLY SHUT DOWN AFTER MAJOR OIL LEAK

A major oil spill which killed thousands of fish and threatened water supplies in central Spain, has been contained. Environmental authorities worked through the night to stop the slick spreading across an even larger stretch of the Tagus river which runs from Spain's central plateau to Portugal's Atlantic coast.

The Spanish environment Ministry hastily built a containment dam to prevent 250,000 litres (66,000 gallons) which had leaked from a power station in Toledo province.

Threat to drinking water

The leak was caused by an overflowing tank at a fuel oil depository at the plant.

As a precaution, the water supply to the surrounding area, which includes the historic city of Toledo, was cut off overnight until the spill had been contained.

Dead fish littered the banks of the river and a thick black scum covered the top of parts of the river.

Recovery

"The spill has been stopped at a dam at the town of Higares," said an environment spokeswoman, "a floating barrier has been put up to allow the recovery of the fuel using extractor pumps," she said.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

WATER SUPPLY SHUT DOWN AFTER MAJOR OIL LEAK

A major oil spill which killed thousands of fish and threatened water supplies in central Spain, has been contained. Environmental authorities worked through the night to stop the slick spreading across an even larger stretch of the Tagus river which runs from Spain's central plateau to Portugal's Atlantic coast.

The Spanish environment Ministry hastily built a containment dam to prevent 250,000 litres (66,000 gallons) which had leaked from a power station in Toledo province.

Threat to drinking water

The leak was caused by an overflowing tank at a fuel oil depository at the plant.

As a precaution, the water supply to the surrounding area, which includes the historic city of Toledo, was cut off overnight until the spill had been contained.

Dead fish littered the banks of the river and a thick black scum covered the top of parts of the river.

Recovery

"The spill has been stopped at a dam at the town of Higares," said an environment spokeswoman, "a floating barrier has been put up to allow the recovery of the fuel using extractor pumps," she said.

http://www.sky.com/news/world/story10.htm

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), August 02, 2000