site.btaPollution Cuts Water Supply to 51 Settlements in Haskovo Region, Nearby Chemical Plant Suspected

July 28 (BTA) - The water supply to
  51 settlements in the southeastern region of Haskovo has been
 stopped after a canal of the Maritsa River was found to be 
polluted with a toxic substance, said here Fire Safety and Civil
  Protection chief Nikolai Nikolov.

Twenty-eight cows died on Monday minutes after drinking water
from a canal of the Maritsa River near Dimitrovgrad. The early
warning system was  activated and samples were taken from
various points along the river in the municipalities of
Dimitrovgrad, Simeonovgrad,  Harmalni, Lyubimets and Svilengrad.
 The Haskovo Regional Food  Safety Directorate sent pathologists
 and veterinarians to examine the dead animals and take samples.
 All mayors of settlements along the river have been informed
about the incident and pre-trial proceedings have been
initiated.

The initial tests conducted by the Haskovo Regional Environment
 and Water Inspectorate show that the Maritsa's pollution was 
likely caused by the release of organic chemical compounds from
 the Neochim plant in Dimitrovgrad as a result of human error. 
One of the possible causes being investigated is pollution with
 organophosphorus compounds.

Nikolov is quoted as telling Bulgaria National Radio on  Tuesday
 that samples have been taken from the river, including  from
potable water wells. An analysis will be conducted to  establish
 what caused the animals' death and whether there is a  risk for
 the drinking water supply and life in the Maritsa in  general.

Nikolov said that according to the available information, the 
quantity of released toxic substances is not enough to pollute 
the whole river. It is limited to the canal, according to the 
data so far, he explained.

Later on Tuesday, Environment and Water Minister Emil Dimitrov
said during an inspection of the polluted canal near
Dimitrovgrad that the component responsible for the 28 cows'
death was found in the canal's collector, but the direct
polluter is still unknown. He did not name the substance so as
not to obstruct the investigation and to prevent "the issue of
verdicts before we have acquainted ourselves with everything".
 
There has been no misuse of pesticides, he said. Dimitrov
expressed satisfaction with the results from the samples taken
from the Maritsa River thus far, which are within the norm and
show the river is clean and without dead fish.

He also said the priority now is to continue taking samples and
to make efforts to restore the water supply to the affected
settlements in the region, including the municipal centres of
Simeonovgrad and Svilengrad. To this end, teams and labs in
neighbouring regions will be engaged, the Environment Minister
added.
  
RY/DS

/ДЛ/