Chemical spill in Rio state river leaves many towns without water

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) Apr 02, 2003
Authorities were forced to cut off water in many cities in the Rio de Janeiro state after 20 million liters of toxic waste leaked into a river from a paper factory, officials said Wednesday.

The highly-toxic, 90 kilometer (55-mile spill slowly moved down the Paraiba do Sul river toward Campos, the main city in northern Rio state.

With the spill expected to reach Campos on Wednesday night, mayor Arnaldo Viana decided Wednesday to cut off water supplies, forcing some 500,000 people to rely on delivery from water trucks.

In addition, 470 irrigation canals already were shut down, and farmers were warned the tainted water would burn their crops.

The toxic waste originated Saturday from a paper factory in the neighboring state of Minas Gerais, contaminating the Pomba river, which flows into the Paraiba do Sul.

The paper factory was shut down and given an initial fine of 50 million reals (15 million dollars.)

SPACE.WIRE