At a service station along the motorway, the operators detect a leak after comparing the volume stored to that distributed. The amount leaked is estimated at 6500 litres of diesel, yet no visible trace of this leak is found on the ground or in the stations outfalls. The leak seems to be due to a broken weld on an elbow in the feed manifold at the base of the gas pump meter. The station shuts down all operation, including the pumps that transfer fuel from the storage tanks to the pumping facilities. The manifolds are also immobilized. An emergency order from the prefect, upon recommendation by the inspectors of classified facilities, requires the station operator to demarcate the polluted area, to estimate the extent of soil and ground water pollution using piezometers, and to determine the exact causes of the accident, within 7 days. The absence of any danger is to be demonstrated before the facilities may resume operation. The ground is permeable in this location and the risks of pollution are high.
