Tests Indicate No Pollution In Danube – Romanian Water Administration

ANAR said in a press release Monday that it constantly monitors the quality of Danube’s water at its point of entry in Romania to check whether the river is in danger of contamination with toxic red sludge. It also said tests conducted every four hours indicate the values of the general physical and chemical indicators and the biological indicators are within normal parameters.

ANAR experts, including biologists and chemists, said that if the water quality parameters „exceed the admissible levels”, measures will be taken to prevent and fight accidental pollution. They also said Romanian authorities continue to be in touch in Hungarian and Serbian authorities.

Adrian Draghici, head of the local water administration authority in Mehedinti, south-western Romania, told MEDIAFAX that chemical-biological tests are conducted every four hour, while the pH level of the Danube is checked every three hours.

„Monday morning, the pH level was of 7.94 – 7.96, which falls within normal parameters. No red sludge contamination is in sight at the moment and most probably, there won’t be any contamination throughout the day”, said Draghici.

The sludge, which is waste produced during alumina manufacture, has left seven dead and other 120 injured, swept cars off roads and damaged bridges and homes.