Pollution was found in the Mark River in Tollembeek, which runs through Galmaarden, a municipality located to the east of Brussels in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant.
Oil was seen floating on the river’s surface last weekend and now it has been traced back to private property, VRT reports.
“After some searching, the environmental officer found the cause of the pollution of the Mark,” said mayor Patrick Decat (CD&V).
“It concerns fuel oil that was discharged from a private property into the Mark via the sewerage system. Over the next few days there will be further investigations with all parties and all authorities.”
River carried the oil to East Flanders
The oil has drifted as far as Geraardsbergen in East Flanders, according to an investigation by the Galmaarden environmental officer and police.
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Whether the fuel oil wound up in the river accidentally or deliberately is still being investigated, and the mayor won’t reveal the name of the polluter for privacy reasons.
The fire brigade and the Civil Protection have been working to clean the river. This is the second time in the span of a few weeks that they’ve had to deal with pollution in the Mark.
