Toxic danger: groundwater cleaning in Eichwalde started after major fire!
Toxic danger: groundwater cleaning in Eichwalde started after major fire!
in Eichwalde, Dahme-Spreewald district, Brandenburg, a groundwater cleaning system is built to protect the drinking water supply from the endangerment by PFAs harmful to health. This measure is a response to the considerable PFAS loads in the groundwater, which result from a major fire in the former tire plant in Berlin-Schmöckwitz. The fire, which took place in May 2005, was described as the "greatest fire in Berlin since World War II" and claimed an area of 10,000 square meters.
In use, 60 tons of foam were used for fire fighting, which also contains PFAs. Current studies from 2024 show that these toxic substances have penetrated into the groundwater. The Eichwalde waterworks, which supplies tens of thousands of people in Dahme-Spreewald and Berlin with drinking water, is in danger of which the Berlin Senate is now taking measures to initiate suitable protective measures.
planned measures to limit damage
The construction project for the groundwater cleaning system including the safety fountain is to be realized by 2026. The total costs for this project amount to two million euros, with annual operating costs between 250,000 and 400,000 euros, which are financed by the state of Berlin. The Märkische Werstaschen- und Wasserpfweckverband (MAWV) is significantly involved in the planning and implementation of the measures and controls the fountain regime in order to comply with the limit values of the drinking water regulation.
CDU parliamentary group leader Stephan Gruhlke expressed sharp criticism of the delay in the measures by the Senate and warned of the health risks that arise from the PFAS emissions. There is also ambiguity about the extent of the contaminants due to illegal garbage deposits on the affected site. The District Office Treptow-Köpenick has already announced that it will clear the illegal landfill, but currently sees no acute danger of the garbage mountains.
In addition to the current situation, reference is made to the challenges that resulted from a major fire almost nine months ago. Toxic substances and pollutants have already been detected 50 meters from the fire area. A total of 14 fountains of the Eichwalde waterworks are about 400 meters from the fire site, which is why two to three new "barriers" are to be installed to derive the loaded water.The urgency of these measures is underlined by the warning of MAWV association leader Peter Albrecht, who points to the time pressure, since the current daily requirement of water is 8,000 m³ and in midsummer at up to 24,000 m³. The waterworks thus supplies around 20,000 households in Eichwalde and the neighboring communities of Zeuthen, Wildau and Schönefeld.
The costs for the groundwater examinations amount to around 50,000 euros, while the fire brigade's operations cost 400,000 euros in the fire, of which 105,000 euros were repaid by the insurance. Interestingly, it was found that the fire is arson, but the investigation has not yet researched a perpetrator. The police also check possible connections to the sprayer scene and analyzes a similar incident from 2004 on the company premises.
-transmitted by West-Ost-Medien
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Ort | Eichwalde, Brandenburg, Deutschland |
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