BELCO oil spill update

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3: Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCO) has given top priority to cleaning up a neighbouring property following Sunday’s 600-700 gallon oily water spill. 

BELCO is changing absorbent pads regularly and has removed contaminated grass from the property, while also relocating the homeowner’s banana and cane plants and several garden paving stones. 

BELCO is communicating regularly with the neighbour and has promised to restore the property to equal or better condition.

BELCO and the Ministry of the Environment will continue to consult on the clean-up and remediation process at the Central Plant, working closely to ensure that all Government requirements are met.  BELCO continues to respond to the spill according to procedures outlined in its Major Environmental Emergency Contingency Plan that was developed by the company, and which is practiced annually. 

Participants in the annual, day-long exercise include representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, Bermuda Fire Service, Works & Engineering and other relevant organizations.

MONDAY, AUGUST 2: Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCO) continues work to clean up and make repairs after an oil and water spill that occurred at the company’s Oily Water Treatment Plant on Saturday, July 31, after several days of heavy rain.

Clean-up work is also ongoing at a neighbour’s property. This includes temporarily relocating several banana trees and cane plants, so that grass and soil can be removed then replaced.

Representatives of BELCO’s Environment Business Centre and the Ministry of Environment have met to review the spill and agree next steps.

BELCO will continue to work closely with the Ministry throughout the clean-up and remediation process.