Polluted Lake in Haute-Garonne: What Is the Nature of This Unusual Liquid Discovered Near the Water Source?

According to information fromToulouse Newsthe nature of this polluting liquid would be vegetable cooking oil.

Contain the pollutant in Flourens

Last Monday, December 2, firefighters from Haute-Garonne intervened on a lake located in the town of Flourens (Haute-Garonne) as reported by Actu Toulouse due to an episode of pollution. In addition to ensuring safety, the objective was also to identify the origin of this pollution.

As specified by the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) of Haute-Garonne, professionals find themselves in the presence of water pollution with a surface area of ​​120 m2 by 90 meters long. To contain the pollutant, they decide to set up a polluting dam.

A liquid of plant origin

The next day, the town hall was also informed and participated in the decontamination of the water point by deploying blotters supposed to absorb part of the strange polluting liquid. Finally, the Toulouse Saint-Michel gendarmerie company which also participated in the operations confirmed that all of the liquid had been pumped, as relayed by the media.

If the population now has nothing to fear, one question remains: what is the origin of this polluting liquid? The French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) was tasked with carrying out analyses, and the Flourens town hall announced that it was a liquid of plant origin.

Cooking oil, an underestimated pollutant

While waiting for more details, residents of the town are asked to avoid water activities such as fishing or bathing animals. According to information from Actu Toulouse, it was cooking oil which could have been accidentally spilled into the lake after an accident linked to a container located near the shore. This track remains to be “confirmed” as indicated by the media.

Frying oil is a waste which is not dangerous but can be particularly polluting. Pollution of soil and water resources is immediate if vegetable oils are thrown into nature. This can cause asphyxiation of organisms present in the water and also cause the death of fish. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of the Environment, “used oils are hazardous waste. Their release into the environment is prohibited due to their very polluting nature for natural environments.”.