Faroese authorities investigate drilling waste discharge into Stórá river

The Faroese Environmental Agency is now examining the discharge of drilling waste into the Stórá river in Saksunardalur, reported Kringvarp Føroya.

Two weeks ago, the broadcaster revealed that the river had been polluted by drilling waste originating from a site where remnants from geothermal drilling are stored. The Environmental Agency had not previously addressed the issue but is now investigating it closely.

The Faroese Food and Veterinary Agency has also visited the site and spoken with the landowner. According to the landowner, the drilling waste will not be discarded but stored as a resource for soil improvement. The agency considers this a potentially viable solution, provided the material does not end up in rivers, lakes, or other natural environments.

The Environmental Agency’s regulations are clear: the waste must be handled in a way that prevents it from entering waterways, lakes, or other natural areas. Sunda municipality has not granted any exemptions in this case and states that geothermal drilling remnants must be disposed of at the municipal incineration plant or the IRF waste facility, not left on any property within the municipality.

Eyðstein Zachariasen, mayor of Sunda municipality, told Kringvarp Føroya that the municipality is awaiting the Environmental Agency’s conclusion before deciding on further steps.