RIGA, Nov 26 (LETA)  - About 14,000 tons of sewage sludge have leaked into the Liksna River in eastern Latgale region, LETA learned from the State Environment Service (VVD) representative Kristine Klaveniece.

VVD on November 26 received information about a critical situation in Krizi sewage sludge fields in Kasatniku, Naujene rural territory of Augsdaugava municipality. VVD inspectors discovered that after a dam broke down, a large amount of sewage sludge leaked into the river.

Klaveniece said that it has been estimated that about 14,000 cubic meters of sludge have leaked into the environment. Most of the sludge leaked into the nearby boggy forest, still, the pollution has made its way along ditches and the Stropica River into the Liksna River.

VVD calls on local residents not to use the water of the rivers, for example, to water cattle.

Daugavpils Udens, the company managing the sewage sludge field, is conducting the emergency works on the site. The pollution has been localized, preventing more sludge leaking into the environment. VVD has taken samples from the waters in the rivers and ditches to test them. There is enough oxygen in the Liksna River so far, and no dead fish has been observed, said Klaveniece.

The local government has called on resident not to use water from private wells. Daugavpils Udens will supply the necessary water.

The sewage sledge can be used as fertilizer in agriculture, but, such large amounts of sludge leaking into the environment may harm it. VVD will calculate the loss to the environment and Daugavpils Udens will have to compensate it.

The sewage sludge from Daugavpils Udens has been collected in Krizi sludge fields until 2011 - a total of 142,000 tons.