NATO oil pipeline punctured: Fuel leaks into Lake Sapanca, a drinking water source for millions

In the Kartepe district of Kocaeli, a branch of a NATO fuel pipeline was punctured yesterday during road construction work. Upon discovering the fuel leak from the pipeline, the situation was reported to the authorities. Teams dispatched to the area excavated a section of the pipeline with heavy machinery to assess the damage. The fuel that had filled the pit and remained in the pipe was evacuated into a tanker.

LAKE SAPANCA COVERED IN DIESEL

While teams continued their work to repair the pipeline, the leak intensified at midnight due to increased pressure in the NATO line, spreading through a creek bed into Lake Sapanca. Citizens who saw the diesel covering the surface of the lake reported the situation to the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration (SASKİ) teams. The teams dispatched to the area attempted to prevent the leak from spreading by installing barriers on the water surface.

"FUEL HAS SPREAD INTO THE LAKE"

Stating that he started the day with the smell of diesel while teams continued their work in the area, Hüseyin Mercan said,

"You can see the state of Lake Sapanca. Fuel coming from the Kocaeli region has mixed into Lake Sapanca, which lies within the borders of Sakarya and Kocaeli. A leak occurred in the NATO pipeline during construction work, and it reached Lake Sapanca. The fuel has spread into the lake. SASKİ teams came here and intervened immediately, but we do not see any intervention from the Kocaeli side. This scene is unfortunately an environmental disaster; Sakarya and Kocaeli drink water from this lake. A portion of the lake is covered in fuel" he said.

"LIVING CREATURES IN THE LAKE MAY DIE FROM THE SMELL OF FUEL"

Hüseyin Mercan continued his words as follows:

"We woke up to a heavy smell of fuel in the morning. When we came to the edge of the lake, we saw that a significant amount of fuel had mixed into the water. There is a serious problem. This is a drinking water basin. We see that the drinking water is covered by the threat of fuel. There is a serious odor in this area. It bothers us too. Even though we are on the surface, we are bothered. Unfortunately, we will see the living creatures in the lake dying from the smell of fuel within a few days. Significant fish deaths may also occur."

"DIESEL LEAKING INTO THE LAKE WAS ATTEMPTED TO BE BLOCKED WITH BARRIERS"

On the other hand, in a statement made by SASKİ, it was said: "A leak occurred on Tuesday, March 26, in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) oil pipeline located within the borders of Kocaeli province, as a result of human intervention. Due to the increase in pressure in the NATO line at midnight, the leak grew, and the fuel substance that reached the creek bed mixed into Lake Sapanca. Our Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration (SASKİ) teams took action regarding the issue from the moment the report was received at night and began work within the lake's borders with all their units."

"Following the incident in Kocaeli, the spread of the fuel substance that mixed into our lake borders was immediately brought under control by our SASKİ teams, and this substance was prevented from reaching the drinking water intake points located around the lake. As of this hour, SASKİ teams are working intensively to neutralize the fuel substance they have brought under control in the relevant sections of the lake. On the other hand, the distance between the point where the diesel mixed with the lake and the water intake points has allowed for the prevention of a potentially major danger. All our citizens will not experience the slightest problem regarding the use of tap water in their homes. The complete disposal of the substance will be completed in a short time."

News Source: İHA