Pollution alert in Finistère. About 180,000 people were deprived of drinking water Thursday in this department, after the overflow of a digestate tank from a methanizer in Châteaulin, we learned from the prefecture and the operator.
The prefecture, which recommends "not to use tap water for drinking and washing vegetables and fruits consumed raw" in 50 municipalities of the department, said that around 180,000 people were affected by these restrictions on use. some water.
Among the municipalities concerned are Châteaulin (5,774 inhabitants), Quimper (63,000 inhabitants) and the very touristic peninsula of Crozon.
In case of "symptoms suggestive of gastroenteritis, it is recommended to consult"
"If you have consumed tap water during the morning, and you experience symptoms suggestive of gastroenteritis, you are recommended to consult your doctor," said the prefecture in a press release released Thursday morning.
❗️ Alder pollution in progress - details on the situation on our website https://t.co/b6kkhxy6sz https://t.co/qkpJngBp3H
- Prefect of Finistère (@ Prefet29) August 20, 2020The pollution is due to the overflow of a digestate tank at the Kastellin biogas plant, following a technical incident. Between 300 and 400 m3 of digestate overflowed from the tank overnight from Monday to Tuesday, according to the manager of the Clotaire Lefort plant. “Everything is safe. The situation is under control ”, assures the manager.
Ammonia peak
The biogas plant is located about 1 km from the Aulne, a coastal river, and upstream from a drinking water plant. The flow of the digestate in the Alder caused a sharp increase in the ammonia concentration, making the water unfit for consumption.
“The specific circumstances and causes of this pollution are currently being assessed; the State services will then ensure to obtain guarantees so that such an incident does not happen again, ”assures the prefecture in its press release.
"New industrial accident on a methanizer"
Inaugurated in 2018, the Kastellin biogas plant injects methane produced from manure, slurry or food industry waste into the gas network. The digestate, organic matter resulting from the anaerobic digestion process, is then used as fertilizer spread on agricultural land.
"This new industrial accident on a methanizer is once again prejudicial to the rivers of Finistère, after that of SA Beuzec Cap Sizun, two years ago, which had wiped out 3 kilometers of watercourses", responded the Water association and Rivers of Brittany in a press release.
The association Eau et Rivières announces the filing of a complaint against the author of this pollution
"How is it that a company, whose study of the dangers was presented to the public inquiry in September 2018, could generate such an accident, if not to think that the industrial risks of these anaerobic digestion facilities are largely minimized ? “, Was surprised Jean Hascoet, regional delegate of the association, quoted in the press release.
Eau et Rivières is calling for a moratorium "on the pursuit of the creation of an industrial methanization unit in Brittany" and announces the filing of a complaint against the author of this pollution.
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