A MAJOR pollution investigation is under way after about 10,000 litres of heating oil leaked from a tank in a States housing estate and travelled miles through drains to the sea.
The leak started on Wednesday but its source was not detected until Thursday morning. Yesterday the oil was still pouring into the sea from outfalls and the stench could be detected through much of the centre of town.
It is believed that there is no threat to drinking water as a result of the leak into the surface water drains but there may be some threat to plant and marine life.
It has emerged that the oil may have been leaking from a cracked pipe at Oak Tree Gardens at the foot of Trinity Hill for about 18 hours before the source was detected. A number of investigations have been launched by a variety of agencies, including Environmental Protection, Housing and Transport and Technical Services.
Picture: A close-up of the pollution. Picture by Matthew Hotton (00628927)
Article posted on 21st February, 2009 - 10.00am
11 Article Comments
Why was this leak not reported straight away, states tenants really turn a blind eye when it comes to taking care of their surroundings. I hope Terry Le Sueur does not spend 100 million painting and decorating states homes rather it spent on checking up and doing minor repairs every so often.
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As I was walking along the new marina you could see the oil leaking from the hydraulics from the gate. so is there two separate leaks.
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The leak started on a Wednesday but was not detected untill Thursday, quite easily done. The houses are rented and so oil tanks should be maintained or inspected by the company providing the oil. My states house that I rent has gas heating and Jersey Gas do fully inspect the heating system at least once a year to ensure that it is operating properly.
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Here we go again ann blaming those in states properties for everything. If you read the article in the JEP it says that an official did check Oak Tree gardens and could not locate a problem so how do you justify your comments. I think you will find that housing have contracts with utility companies who do inspections on a regular basis for it is their job to ensure that there are no problems. When pipes crack manhole covers etc have to be opened or roads dug up. You are obviously very bitter and tar everyone who lives in housing with the same brush. And yet again I will reiterate that I do not live in housing.
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Betty – I don’t doubt that housing have contracts with utility companies. If a leak were to occur from a tank within homes in the private sector, the onus would be upon the owner to maintain and repair it themselves. States tenants are forever complaining and want all jobs done free of charge.
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How negative your repsonse is Ann. Not all states housing tenants are bad, not all turn a blind eye and not all would judge others as you have just done. I hope they do spend the money on the public housing…as then you will all have the same standard of housing whether one is rich or poor.
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Angel – yes, that is very idealistic. It would be wonderful for everyone to have the same standard of accommodation rich or poor. However, this would give everyone a lot less inclination to work hard. We could all sit around and wait for state hand-outs!
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She’s got you there Angel!
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Ann, people don’t work any less because they are in housing. Many struggle for years trying to break free of it. As for state handouts, as landlords they have to maintain the properties, whether the tenants are good or bad. You are your own landlord hence you pay for the work to be done.
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Angel i’m sorry but some people in housing have never worked a day in their life – they are under achievers and come from families that are of the same mindset – have kids and get handouts from the states…happy days for them – not for us – the poor beggars who have to pay the earth in taxes lol
my landlord doesn’t do half as much for our flat as the states do for their tennants.
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Lula is right – there are those who prefer to sail through life on other peoples’ backs and then there are the hardworkers who contribute much more to society and don’t expect to be carried along.
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