World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
Oil spill in Ecuador contaminates river and halts water supply
An oil leak contaminated the Cupa River in Ecuador’s coastal Esmeraldas province.
The river flows into a tributary that supplies water to the San Mateo treatment plant.
Quinindé and Esmeraldas, where more than 300,000 people live, rely on the plant.
Authorities temporarily stopped collecting and distributing water as a precaution and asked residents to store water for basic needs.
State oil company Petroecuador said a crack in the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline caused the leak, which it said was under control.
The company placed barriers and absorbent materials in the river to collect oil, while the cause is under technical investigation.
An oil spill in Ecuador’s Esmeraldas province contaminated the Cupa River and prompted a preventive suspension of drinking-water supply.
The river flows into a tributary that feeds a water-treatment plant serving several localities.
The municipalities of Quinindé and Esmeraldas asked residents to stock up on water for basic needs.
State oil company Petroecuador said a fissure in the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System caused the spill, but did not state how much oil was released.
Petroecuador said the leak was under control and that its cause was being investigated.
- Who
- Petroecuador and the municipalities of Quinindé and Esmeraldas are among the authorities and company involved. Residents in the affected area were asked to stock up on water.
- What
- An oil spill contaminated the Cupa River, and drinking-water collection and distribution were suspended as a precaution.
- When
- Authorities reported the spill on Monday. The exact date of the spill is not stated.
- Where
- Esmeraldas province in northwestern Ecuador, including the Cupa River and areas supplied by the San Mateo treatment plant.
- Why
- Petroecuador said a fissure in the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System caused the spill. The water supply was suspended to protect water quality and safety.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Municipal authorities reported the spill and the preventive suspension of drinking-water distribution.
Petroecuador installed barriers and absorbent materials in the Cupa River to collect the oil.
- Affected river
- Cupa River
- Province
- Esmeraldas, northwestern Ecuador
- Pipeline cited as cause
- Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE)
- Population in Quinindé and Esmeraldas
- More than 300,000
- Treatment plant
- San Mateo
What people are saying
seeks to guarantee the quality and safety of the water
The leak is under control
maintains active contingency actions for this event, whose cause is under technical investigation
Sources
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