Car repair plant faces EMA fine after oil spill

Managing director/CEO of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) Joth Singh says the authority is considering issuing a notice of violation to an automotive repair facility responsible for an oil spill in the Caroni River. On October 2, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) found oil in the river. This led it to shut down the utility’s Caroni Water Treatment Plant. WASA subsequently called in the EMA to investigate the matter.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Singh said the EMA determined the substance was waste oil which leaked from a broken oil sump at the automotive repair facility. Singh said a crack in the facility’s sump resulted in the waste oil leaking into the river.

He said the oil was isolated and then sucked off the surface of the river. He said the treatment plant was shut down for the contaminated water to pass without it being processed as water for consumption. Singh said the EMA was considering legal action against the facility and would take the necessary steps to do so after consulting its legal department. He said it was possible the automotive facility would be fined.