[UPDATED] PDRC: Debe oil spill cleanup 95% complete

Heritage Petroleum Ltd has completed 95 per cent of the cleanup of an oil spill in the South Oropouche River, Debe.

An update from the Penal Debe Regional Corporation said the cleanup is expected to be completed by August 27.

It said two booms deployed in the river near Suchit Trace will remain in place for containment and absorption.

Additionally, the update said Heritage Petroleum confirmed there were no leaks in its Penal/Barrackpore assets, which could account for the oily substance found in the river.

Sources told Newsday on August 24 the oil appeared to have been dumped into the water.

"We take this opportunity to alert residents to be lawful and considerate when disposing of contaminants and other effluents into our watercourses."

The spill was discovered in the river on August 23 near Ramrattan Maraj Trace, Debe.

Although no one lives  close to the spill, PDRC chairman Gowtam Maharaj warned people to be cautious of the area.

Newsday has not been able to get an official update from Heritage.

This story was originally published with the title "PDRC chair: Authorities alerted on Debe oil spill" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

PENAL Debe Regional Corporation chairman Gowtam Maharaj says the relevant authorities are working to clean up an oil spill in the South Oropouche River, but is warning the public to exercise caution near the waterway until it is completed.

Maharaj told Newsday the spill was discovered in the river on August 23 near Ramrattan Maraj Trace, Debe, and Heritage Petroleum Ltd was alerted.

He said the company had since mobilised clean-up operations and had deployed two booms in the river near Suchit Trace to contain the oil.

"This morning (August 24) there is a crew on boats in the river picking up any oily substances and particles and leaves and so on that are there."

He said vacuum trucks were also available to help contain the substance.

"We have asked the residents to continue to be observant and report, as they have done yesterday (August 23), probably any other developments they see.

"We've also asked them to take precautionary measures of not using any open flames in the area (and) do not use the area for any type of consumption whether animals or plants and to be in the accompaniment of others should they be using the river for any activity so should there be any noxious fumes or so they would have support."

He said that while no one lives near where the main spill is, the river is used by many as a source of income.

"Those rivers go straight into the mangrove areas, it goes into the Pluck Road/Woodland area. There are operators that may be doing fishing, crab catching (and) all of that. It's a very active area."

Maharaj said Heritage is currently testing the substance to determine the source of the spill. Newsday was unable to get a comment from the company. However, Newsday was reliably informed investigations have not yet found a source of the spill but it is not located near any Heritage installations. It is believed the two barrels worth of oil could have been dumped.