Significant leak at treatment plant in Hokksund leads to biocarrier cleanup effort along Drammenselva river

A significant leak occurred at a treatment plant in Hokksund, leading to the release of 80,000 biocarriers, plastic pieces roughly the size of a 20-kroner coin. These biocarriers have drifted down the Drammenselva river and into the Drammensfjorden, now scattered along a stretch of over 40 kilometers, from Hokksund to Svelvik.

NCC, the contractor developing the plant for Øvre Eiker municipality, has initiated a cleanup operation, successfully retrieving close to 60,000 biocarriers but acknowledging that they may not recover all of them. While the biocarriers pose no risk to humans, they can be harmful to wildlife, prompting NCC to encourage the public to collect any found plastic pieces along the riverbanks.

NCC spokesperson Tor Heimdahl noted the cleanup efforts began with systematic collection the week following the leak, involving over 20 personnel who worked throughout the week and weekend. Despite the progress, Heimdahl asserted that a considerable amount of work remains, estimating that work could continue for an additional two weeks.

Heimdahl explained that they are employing GPS technology, with assistance from organizations like the Red Cross, to locate areas where plastic accumulation is particularly high. The biocarriers are often hidden under leaves and debris, making them challenging to find. He emphasized the importance of swift action, as birds may mistake these items for food, presenting a risk to the local ecosystem.

NCC has appealed to walkers along the shoreline to help collect these plastic bits, treating them as regular plastic waste to mitigate environmental risks.