The combat with effects of the incident, when petroleum products were released into the environment in Biržai District on the night from 15th to 16 May 2009, is fast track and successful.
The pollutants were released to the environment as a result of the attempted illegal tap to AB Mažeikių Nafta’ product pipeline in the Apaščia River, near Totoriai village, 8 kilometers from Biržai.
AB Mažeikių Nafta emergency response teams quickly contained the spill at its location, stopped the diesel flow from the pipeline, repaired the damaged pipe and immediately started spill combat activities. About 20 specialists of AB Mažeikių Nafta, supported by Firefighters/Rescuers of Biržai and Panevėžys Districts as well as the staff of UAB Ekovalis, are involved in these activities.
As Arūnas Pranckevičius, Director of Pipelines and Marine Terminals, said: “We deployed seven containment and absorbent booms on the Apaščia River. They did not allow the pollutants to flow to the village. The diesel spill is recovered with a special absorbent materials, special pumps and vacuum trucks.”
According to Gediminas Markauskas, Head of the Accident Prevention and Management Division of the State Environment Protection Inspectorate, the combat of the spill effects is fast and efficient.
