Oil leak threatens Llyn Padarn lake

A leaking oil tank near Llanberis, Wales, has result in a river becoming contaminated. An investigation by Natural Resources Wales found that a heating oil tank had leaked into a foul sewer before entering the local sewage treatment works. This has resulted in the Afon y Bala River becoming polluted.

It was announced on Thursday (June 12th) by Dwr Cymru welsh Water that an oily turpentine-like substance had entered the treatment facility via the surface water system and then polluted the water. The river flows into Llyn Padarn lake, which means the oil leak could cause severe environmental damage.

Once the leak was discovered, works began to try and contain as much of the oil as possible within the sewage network so as to avoid the lake becoming heavily polluted, according to a Natural Resources Wales spokesman. The leak has now been stopped but monitoring will take place while the water quality is returning to normal.

Until water quality is back to normal, Gwynedd council has advised people not to swim in the area and has placed signs on the bank of the river to inform them of the pollution. While remaining pollution is being dealt with, residents may notice slight water discolouration. However, no warning signs have been placed around the lake, suggesting that cleanup efforts were successful.

The Natural Resources Wales' spokesman said: "The council advised that warning signs have not been placed on the shore of Llyn Padarn, and watersports activity and swimming in Llyn Padarn is not restricted. 

"Once the investigation into the cause of the leak is over, Natural Resources Wales will consider if it is appropriate to take any further action against the premises where the pollution originated from."

An investigation into the cause of the leak is continuing and once Natural Resources Wales has all the information, it will consider whether any further action will be taken against the landowner of the site that the leak originated from.