Unknown thieves stole domestic heating oil stored in a 1,000 l mobile tank that was used for refuelling the generators of the material treatment installations at a quarry. Although the tank was placed out of use on a sealed area equipped for the refuelling of machinery, the end of the distribution hose was left outside this area by the thieves.

A quantity of fuel, not exceeding 750 l given the tank’s filling level, was been spilled on the sandy soil, infiltrated into the ground and was carried by rainwater into a neighbouring ditch, joining the lateral channel of the River LOIRE 1 km away. As soon as the pollution was discovered, fire-fighters set up a dam on the ditch which limited the flow. A service company pumped out the hydrocarbons. A 25 m long, 2 m wide and 1.5 m deep area of flow zone was excavated.

The polluted sand was stored under a tarpaulin pending treatment. The operator filed a complaint through the police. It envisages changing its hydrocarbon storage conditions.