Fuel Spill Affects Rojales And Guardamar Farmland

A substance spill successful nan Segura River has forced nan suspension of irrigation for astir 1,200 hectares of farmland successful Rojales and Guardamar del Segura. Detected by nan Rojales Water Court, nan contamination demanded contiguous closure of nan Comuna canal intake. 

The measurement affects immoderate 10,000 tahúllas – a accepted portion of onshore measurement utilized successful nan Valencian and Murcia regions, adjacent to astir 0.11 hectares each – leaving fields prepared for autumn and wintertime crops specified arsenic artichokes, saccharine potatoes, romanesco, and citrus fruits without water.

Farmers first reported traces of substance successful nan irrigation channels early successful nan past week of August, but it was later confirmed that nan root laic successful nan stream itself alternatively than successful an isolated discharge. Early connected Thursday, August 28, a multicoloured sheen and beardown odour were observed successful nan h2o arsenic it passed done Rojales.

The Guardia Civil’s Seprona portion and nan Segura Hydrographic Confederation person taken samples and are moving to place nan root of nan spill. Technicians are attempting to incorporate nan slick utilizing pumps. Water whitethorn besides beryllium released from nan La Pedrera reservoir to dilute nan pollutant. 

The incident highlights ongoing concerns astir h2o value successful nan little Segura basin. While upstream monitoring points exist, ample stretches person to nan river rima deficiency due surveillance, leaving farmland highly susceptible to contamination events.