One of Valencia's main flood waste dumps is hazardous to groundwater. A natural reservoir has formed on the site of an old clay mine where destroyed cars are transported. Liquids from vehicles may mix with water there, posing a threat to residents and nature.
More than 220 people died in the floods that hit southern and eastern Spain at the end of October. Valencia was hit the hardest, with entire towns under water. Although the water has receded, the situation is still critical in many places and thousands of houses are uninhabitable.
Threat to groundwater
The old clay mine for brick production in the town of Picassent became one of the main places for dumping rubble, mud and waste from the flood – damaged cars were also transported there. According to data from the regional Ministry of Environment, quoted by the daily “El PaÃs”, over 250,000 tons of waste have already been removed from the streets.
However, there is an inadequately secured water reservoir in the mine area, which was probably formed naturally as a result of the uplift of groundwater. Independent experts warned that storing waste in this place may pose a risk of contamination of groundwater – fluids and oils from damaged cars may have direct contact with the water table. The Albufera Natural Park, one of the region's most important protected areas, which is located approximately 3 kilometers from the mine, may be at risk of contamination.
Residents of the province are dissatisfied with the way the local authorities dealt with the natural disaster. On Saturday, thousands of people protested in Valencia, demanding their resignation. The organizers of the demonstration emphasized that the administration was slow and the flood victims did not receive the necessary help.
Cars destroyed in the Valencia floods stored in PaiportaPAP/EPA/MANUEL BRUQUE
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/MANUEL BRUQUE