Residents from the remote Kirkaloka station, some 500 miles[500 km]northeast of Perth, suffered “complete destruction” after a truck spilled thousands of gallons of used oil into nearby streams and surrounding areas.
Highlights:
- A tanker loaded with 33,000 gallons[33,000 L]of oil rolled onto the Great Northern Highway on July 30 and poured 28,000 gallons of oil into the area.
- The nearby Kirkaloka station did not know the flow a week later
- The owners of the site say that oil was poured into the crane where they found the dead birds and rhinos.
On July 30, a tanker carrying an estimated 33,000 gallons[33,000 L]of oil rolled onto the Great Northern Highway, about 25 miles[40 km]south of Mount Magnet.
The accident caused 28,000 liters of used oil to flow into the area, including the Creek Loca station Creek system.
The station’s partner, Blair Ridley, described the incident as “absolutely devastating.”
“It’s still very frustrating,” she told ABC Radio Perth and Lewa.
Facebook – Kirkaloka site
)According to Ridley, she and her partner, Jared, did not know the extent of the problem until a week later.
Reidley cleaned up the oil, received a text message, and traveled to the river to see for himself.
»[The oil] It’s too thick, it smells so bad, ”said Ridley.
“You can see that there are some pools where the oil flows in and out, but they are trapped in a few pools in the deep pools, leaving a valley in the trunk, grass, and reeds.
For the first time in many years, the region was hit by heavy rains, and Ms. Ridley Rangelands said she was particularly devastated by the incident.
Birds were found dead, turtles were covered with oil
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Ms. Ridley was known for her wildlife and bird watching, and was a major threat to the region’s wildlife.
“A few days [into the spill], Covered with oil, found the first tortoise, ”said Ridley.
After the call for help was posted on social media, several volunteers traveled to the Kirkaloka station.
“We have received an amazing response from the public,” Ridley said. There are so many people coming to help us in the wild, it’s amazing. ”
We are approached by local businesses, we have many mines and industries in the area, and we have people calling to donate the waste equipment needed to clean up this waste.
Presented by: Kirkalocka site
)Delay in hygiene
Concerned about the delay, Ms. Ridley said it took contractors 10 days to clean up the spill.
“The cleaning company has been in place since Thursday [August 5], But the clean-up operation did not begin until Monday, August 9, ”he said.
In a statement, the Department of Water and Environment (DWER) said the company transporting the used oil was responsible for sanitation and related costs.
The statement said: “The company has been negotiating that night and rehabilitation contractors have been involved in removing, cleaning and sanitizing any waste.”
By Wednesday, August 11, approximately 8,000 gallons[8,000 L]of oil had been recovered.
DWER monitored the operation to ensure the clean-up was carried out on time, the statement said.
“Cleaning requires the removal of oil-contaminated soil.
A vacuum truck, a septic tank, and a recovery tank are used to repair any oil and water damage.
Much of the cleaning involves handicrafts such as scraping and digging and the use of drinking pipes.
Presented by: Kirkalocka site
)Future concerns
He was contacted by Ridley, a local lawyer, who was concerned about the future and the wider area.
“We want to see the future return to normal,” said Ridley.
The company has hired an environmental consultant to transport fuel and further monitoring will be provided, DWER reports.
Following concerns about the clean-up at the Kirkaloka site, DWER has deployed pollution response officials to the station to monitor the process and ensure it is safe and systematic, DWER said in a statement.
Following today’s review, if necessary, DWER will modify the cleaning program being carried out by a rehabilitation contractor.
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