Drosbach, Alzette Rivers Polluted

On Wednesday morning, Luxembourg's Water Management Authority (Administration de la gestion de l'eau, AGE) received reports that the Alzette river near Hesperange was polluted.

The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) and various individuals informed the AGE of the visual pollution of the Alzette near Hesperange in southern Luxembourg. AGE agents could then trace the pollution back to the mouth of the Drosbach river and eventually up to the Cloche d'Or district.

After further investigation, the AGE located the source of the pollution at Cloche d'Or. The pollution is thought to have come from the emptying of a settling tank collecting rinse water in the Drosbach river.

According to the authorities, the pollution was visible near Pulvermuhl at 11:00 and it is very likely that a colouring of the Alzette river will be visible several kilometres downstream. Nevertheless, measures have been taken to limit the spread of pollution and the AGE and the Nature and Forest Agency (ANF) have launched an investigation.

The authorities have noted that this rinse water sludge (often in combination with bentonite) in the quantities in question present a risk for aquatic fauna and flora. Indeed, these are very fine materials that can plug interstices or cover the entire bed of the stream and its biology with an opaque layer. They thus constitute an obstacle to respiration and photosynthesis respectively and destroy potential spawning grounds.

Companies and building owners are reminded to respect the conditions of authorisations as well as the strict ban on discharging polluted and / or waste water into the surrounding environment or in the pipeline. These discharges can cause significant damage to aquatic fauna and flora as well as a malfunction of the treatment plants. Indeed, under Luxembourg's environmental law, the polluter pays principle applies. Any perpetrator of pollution will be responsible for the costs of repairing the damage, regardless of any criminal prosecution.