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🇩🇰 Denmark /Environment & Climate

2.5 kilometers of Danish stream declared dead after massive beer and soda spill

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • A 2.5-kilometer stretch of the Smedeby Bæk stream in Denmark has been declared dead following the release of a large quantity of beer and soda.
  • The pollution, caused by an accident where 1,500 to 2,000 pallets of beverages overturned, has resulted in dead fish and the presence of "lammehaler" bacteria, indicating contamination.
  • Aabenraa Municipality is pumping the contaminated water into the sewage system, with the responsible party expected to cover cleanup costs, though the exact volume and company involved remain unclear.

A significant environmental incident has occurred in Denmark, where 2.5 kilometers of the Smedeby Bæk stream have been declared dead after a massive spill of beer and soda. Karin Storkholm, team leader for Environment in Aabenraa Municipality, confirmed the grim assessment to Ritzau.

"A part of the watercourse stretch is dead. On the 2.5 kilometers, we have been able to ascertain that there have been a few dead fish, and then there are what are called lammehaler, which show that there is pollution in the water," she stated. Lammehaler are bacteria that create a fuzzy coating in the stream, serving as a clear indicator of water pollution.

A part of the watercourse stretch is dead. On the 2.5 kilometers, we have been able to ascertain that there have been a few dead fish, and then there are what are called lammehaler, which show that there is pollution in the water.

— Karin StorkholmKarin Storkholm, team leader for Environment in Aabenraa Municipality, describes the extent of the pollution in Smedeby Bæk.

The spill originated from an accident on June 19, when an estimated 1.5 million liters of beer and soda were released following the overturning of 1,500 to 2,000 pallets at a warehouse in Padborg. While the warehouse owner reported the accident in June, the contamination of Smedeby Bæk was only confirmed on July 7.

We are currently in an acute phase, and that is what we are acting on in terms of getting emergency services out.

— Karin StorkholmStorkholm discusses the immediate response to the environmental contamination.

The contaminated water has flowed into Møllesøen lake, where the municipality is now actively pumping it into the sewage system. "We are currently in an acute phase, and that is what we are acting on in terms of getting emergency services out," Storkholm explained. She added that typically, the polluter is expected to pay for the cleanup, but it remains uncertain if that will be the case here, as the matter is ongoing. The identity of the company owning the spilled beverages has not been disclosed.

It is currently unknown how long it will take for the stream to recover, as it depends on how quickly the water dilutes. The incident highlights the potential environmental impact of industrial accidents, even those involving seemingly innocuous products like beer and soda.

But normally one usually goes for the polluter paying.

— Karin StorkholmStorkholm comments on the principle of polluter pays regarding the cleanup costs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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