Concrete mixer in ditch near Uithuizen: pollution will be cleaned up completely

This morning, a concrete mixer truck ended up in a ditch near Uithuizen. Concrete, fuel, and oil spilled into the water. The pollution was immediately contained to prevent it from spreading further.

No lasting damage to nature

The pollution is only in the section of the ditch that has been closed off. The water flows slowly there, which means that the substances have remained in one place. There is no lasting damage to nature. The pollution will be completely cleaned up.

Dams have been put in place to limit the polluted water.
Image 1. Small dams have been erected to contain the polluted water.

The ditch is now being cleaned.

The ditch is cleaned step by step:

  • The contaminated water is being pumped out completely.
  • The bottom of the ditch is being cleaned.
  • An environmental supervisor will arrive on site around noon. He will take samples and check that everything is being properly cleaned up.
  • Once everything is clean, the temporary dams are removed and clean water flows through the ditch again.

What exactly was leaked?

  • Concrete from the truck. Concrete hardly disperses in water and mainly stays in one place.
  • A small amount of fuel and oil. The leak in the tank has now been stopped.

Because oil floats on water, the pollution appears greater than it actually is. It is carefully removed.

Concrete mixer truck that fell into the ditch
Image 2. Concrete mixer truck that has fallen into the ditch