Oil Spill Controlled in Cuban Central Municipality of Cabaiguan

In statements to Escambray, Lester Aleman Hurtado, CEO of the plant, said: “For more than a decade these kind of situations did not occur, at least throught that trap. There was malpractice by the operator who did not secure it. “

The spill of 15,000 liters of hydrocarbons produced in the unloading terminal of tank wagons in the refinery Sergio Soto, of Cabaiguan (Sancti Spiritus province), is currently controlled and its main cause determined: negligence.

The two dumping incidents, occurred on August 8^th and 15^th , let out 15 000 liters of fuel, of which 14 000 were recovered, according to Aleman Hurtado; the rest was taken by the stream into which the trap pours, a result of the heavy rain in the area.

Authorities of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) and the National Institute of Water Resources visited the refinery to assess the environmental damage and, together with the main authorities of the plant, toured the affected area.

“The water from the stream is not potable, sewage is dumped at it, but farmers use it to irrigate crops, said the director of Sergio Soto. In some places there are slight traces, that stained the edges. This trap works perfectly now and it is pouring water to the stream”.

According to the same source, there has been no record of dead fish or crops affected to date, detailed information received by Sancti Spiritus-based CITMA.