Water quality in the Daugava River is being intensively checked at the Latvian border after a fire broke out at an oil refinery in Belarus, about 100 kilometres from the Latvian border, the State Environmental Service (VDD) said.
The fire broke out at the plant in the Belarusian town of Novopolotsk, which is close to the banks of the Daugava River. The VVD and the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) have contacted the Belarusian authorities. They have reported that no contamination has been detected in the River Daugava as a result of the fire and its extinguishing. To ascertain the situation, the VVD, in cooperation with the VUGD and the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC), is analysing water samples.
Currently, there are no reports of pollution in the Daugava either in Latvia or Belarus.
The VVD, together with the VUGD and the State Border Guard, continues to take water samples in the upper reaches of the Daugava, to check water quality and to make visual observations.
These types of fires have the potential to cause various types of pollution, such as ash and burnt particles settling in the water or chemicals used in firefighting being released into the environment if they are not properly contained. Less commonly, chemical pollution from factories can also harm aquatic organisms and animals.
The VVD urges border residents who see, for example, oil slicks or dead fish, not to use the water for domestic purposes, not to allow dogs or other animals to swim, and to report sightings by calling +371 26338800 or using the “Vides SOS” app.
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