Barely two days after a first alert, a new hydrocarbon pollution was detected this Thursday in the Rhône, upstream of the barrage of the only one. Swimming and navigation are again prohibited downstream from the underground bridge. The point on site with those who fight to absorb this situation.
At 11:44 am, the fire and rescue service (SIS) was alerted from an important oil clearance from a site on the left bank, just upstream from the motor forces (BFM). “It was a water table visible on the surface of the water, similar to that observed on Tuesday,” said Nicolas Millot, SIS spokesperson.
The tablecloth, contained between the quays of the vives and the Portesus sector in Lignon, extends over several hundred meters. It is currently frozen thanks to the closure of the barrage of the only one. “This makes it possible to maintain it in a reduced geographical area and to deal with it with specific technical means,” confirmed Mathias Goretta, monitoring of the industrial services of Geneva (GIS).
Two incidents in two days
Already Tuesday, 70 liters of biodegradable oil had escaped damaged driving. A first leak, judged without major environmental consequences, had led to a temporary ban on swimming raised the next morning.
This time, the exact causes are not yet identified. “Probably an object at the bottom of the Rhône injured a conduct during the work,” says Mathias Goretta. According to him, the origin of the incident is different from that of Tuesday. “It is a series of bad luck, but in all cases, the site is suspended until further notice. »»
Environmental risks
The Cantonal Water Office (OCE), in connection with SIS and GIS, oversees containment and sanitation operations. “Two pollution in two days on the same site, this is a worrying problem,” recognizes Guillaume Pierrehumbert, managing director of the OCE.
In addition to the immediate risk for fauna and flora – notably the Rosône Roselières – the authorities are studying security strengthening measures on construction sites in aquatic environments. “This may go as far as reinforced compliance, or even sanctions or criminal denunciation to the public prosecutor,” said Mr. Pierrehumbert.
Security above all
In the meantime, the recommendations are clear: strict ban on swimming and leisure navigation until tomorrow morning, at least. Several patrols of the Geneva cantonal police, including the navigation brigade, are mobilized. “We inform citizens on the spot and we ensure that the prohibitions are respected,” explains Tiffany Cudré-Mauroux, police spokesperson.
The management of the barrage of the only one remains suspended from the instructions of the rescue authorities. A return to normal will also depend on the obligations linked to the flow of the Rhône, whose water is used to cool nuclear power plants in France.
With AI
