2023-08-02 16:04:00
The Brussels firefighters had to intervene Tuesday afternoon, around 3 p.m., for hydrocarbon pollution of the Molenbeek stream, on the border between Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Grand-Bigard (Dilbeek).
An area of approximately 50 square meters was hit, said fire department spokesman Walter Derieuw.
According to Bruno Heuze, engineer in charge of watercourse management at Brussels Environment, it would probably be fuel oil. The green spaces that the Molenbeek runs through are very sensitive to pollution in terms of fauna and flora. “Our first objective was to limit the spread of pollution“, he continues.
“Pollution comes from Flemish Brabant“, commented Walter Derieuw. “She would come from the Ring“, says Bruno Heuze. This could be due to an accident or a punctured tank.
“We spread special granules on the slick of pollution to absorb it. Most of it was then sucked up and collected in a special container which will be removed by the municipal services”continues the spokesperson for the fire department.
To prevent the rest of the oil slick from spreading further, the stream was diverted to a sewage treatment plant, said another firefighter. “We were lucky we could do it there“, resumes Bruno Heuze.
The operation lasted three hours. “We can say that it was fast, and that we limited the damage“, adds Bruno Heuze, “we are satisfied“. “Everyone’s relieved it didn’t spread further“.
The stream should be restored by Thursday.
■ Report by Charlotte Maréchal, Charles Carpreau and Timothée Sempels
Belgian – Photo: We are Brussels
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