CAIRO: An oil spill was discovered floating on the Nile River last Monday near Manial and Helwan, causing three water refineries to suspend their operations, authorities said. The spill, scattered in different parts, was the result of a leak when the National Petroleum Pipelines tried to separate an unused pipeline from one currently in use, said a senior member of the Helwan Cement Company who spoke to Daily News Egypt on condition of anonymity. He said that the leaked oil was first channeled to an inland waterway reserved to absorb rain water. However, when a water refinery in Kafr El Elw, Helwan, poured water into the waterway, the level of the oil-stained water rose, overflowing in the Nile, he added. Various local newspapers reported that the oil spill was spotted in many parts along the Nile. When the oil spill was discovered, the waterway was closed to prevent the oil from spilling into the Nile, after which the National Petroleum Pipelines intervened to drain water from the place. State Minister for Environmental Affairs Maged George said that the oil spot remained in Helwan and spread along 2 km. The minister said chemicals were used to dissolve it, Al-Masry Al-Youm reported. Sabry Wahbi, from the National Research Center, told Daily News Egypt that the oil spill would take up to one month to dissolve and that analysis shows high water pollution in the affected areas. The dissolution of the spill depends on its size, the water cycle, and the existence of living bacteria that can break up oil chemicals. Wahbi said both the color and smell of water have changed, which is likely to affect the living organisms in the Nile. Most Egyptians acquire their daily water consumption from the Nile, and the spill has now made the water in many areas undrinkable, possibly even after refinement. Wahbi said the size of the oil spill is worrisome, adding that this is the first of its kind in the Nile and that the wind could help spread the spill to other areas. In a statement released to the press late Tuesday, the Helwan Cement Company said, "With reference to the false news reported July 15 by the local newspapers regarding the damage that occurred in the fuel oil pipeline on July 13, Helwan Cement Company (HCC) would like to clarify that the pipeline, which is 600 meters away from the plant, does not belong to the company and that the company is not, by any means, responsible of this accident. "However, as a responsible corporation, the Helwan Cement plant has supported local authorities in cleaning up the area of Kafr El Elw by providing them with pumps, trucks and fire-fighting equipment. "In addition, despite what has been stated, no worker of Helwan Cement Company was involved in the cleaning activity.
