A SIGNIFICANT amount of the Kerosene oil which escaped from the damaged pipeline at the A48 in Nantycaws, Carmarthen, has been recovered.

Valero, the company responsible for the pipeline works has confirmed approximately 120,000 litres of the estimated 140,000 litres of oil lost has been recovered to date.

Works to repair the pipeline and isolate the leak were successful; with the westbound carriageway of the A48 opening earlier than planned.

Commissioning of the new pipeline has commenced and the re-opening of the A48 eastbound carriageway is planned to take place on November 1.

Carmarthenshire County Council has now taken over as lead agency as part of the recovery operation, working closely with Natural Resources Wales, Public Health Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police and other partners.

NRW staff are continuing to monitor the site and investigate the impact of the incident on the local environment.

Tests confirm no public water drinking supplies have been affected; and air quality monitoring has shown very low concentrations of Kerosene, below what would pose a significant risk to public health. Further tests are ongoing and officers from both Public Health Wales and the council’s environmental health and licensing service are continuing to advise and reassure residents.

People are still being advised to keep pets and livestock away from the water where oil is visible.

The council’s Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “This incident has had a major effect on the environment and the local community and we are doing all we can to help manage the recovery operation and reassure residents.

“The council’s Director of Environment is now chairing the multi-agency group set up to co-ordinate the recovery from this incident. Although now in the recovery stage, works to monitor the effects of the spill will continue for many months to come.”