12 October, 2012

Horizons respond quickly to oil spill

Horizons Regional Council’s oil spill response team was on hand early this morning to clean up an oil spill in Palmerston North.

At 7.20am Horizons received a call regarding seven 20L oil containers that had fallen off a pallet and split open on Campbell Street. Horizons oil response team promptly headed to the site to deal with the spill.

Horizons duty officer Shane Bayley says the main concern was ensuring that the oil didn’t get into any water ways and the team was on the scene fast enough to ensure this didn’t happen.

“Once the risk to the water ways was eliminated we focused on getting the oil cleaned up as quickly and efficiently as possible. This involved using sorbent pads and booms to soak up the liquid, then spreading dispersant and sand to pick up what was remaining,” Mr Bayley says.

“We practice oil spill exercises throughout the year so this was a good opportunity to put those drills to use and know that our equipment and response is efficient.”

The fire services and Palmerston North City Council contractors, Higgins, were also in attendance.

The cost for cleaning up the spill will be met by the transport operator.

ENDS

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