Soil contamination concerns rise in Aalestrup, Denmark

Earlier this year, numerous trucks transported soil from Nordic Waste to various landfills across Jutland. During the cleanup following a significant landslide at the Ølst facility near Randers, thousands of cubic meters of earth were removed and placed in different sites. This has raised concerns among residents, particularly in Aalestrup in North Jutland, where the amassed soil is causing anxiety about potential contamination.

Local business association leader, Karl William Carlsen, expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding whether the soil is polluted. He highlighted that the municipality of Vesthimmerlands had pledged to conduct at least one soil test per year at the site. He is eager for any recent test results to be made public for community reassurance.

Though the municipality claims that prior tests indicated the soil is safe, skepticism remains. Carlsen worries that the soil tested may not be representative of what is currently stored in Aalestrup. Residents have observed that instead of decreasing, the soil piles at the site continue to grow. Carlsen argued that if the soil were indeed uncontaminated, it could be repurposed for construction projects, hinting that its accumulation might suggest otherwise.

Vis-à-vis these concerns, the mayor of Vesthimmerlands, Per Bach Laursen, assured the public that soil testing is ongoing at the landfill. He acknowledged residents’ unease over the proximity of the landfill to the town and confirmed that a minimum of six tests per year are conducted on surface water, with plans to improve transparency by sharing groundwater testing results as well. Despite these reassurances, the soil remains at the site with no immediate plans for its disposal. The decision to sell the soil lies solely with the company.