Oil products from the Irkutsk hydroelectric dam structure were found in the Angara, fishermen reported oil slicks, after which a boom barrier was installed at the dam outlet and sorbent was added to the river. Preliminary data suggest 10 to 20 liters of machine oil may have entered the water, and the leak was caused by relay failure. Prosecutors and specialists are now determining the extent of pollution, environmental damage, and how long the incident lasted.
Information about oil slicks on the Angara River was received by the environmental prosecutor’s office from fishermen. It was recorded that petroleum products began entering the water from the structure of the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Power Station.Together with the management of the power station, a boom barrier was installed at the dam outlet and a special sorbent was added to the river. Approximately 10–20 liters of engine oil managed to get into the water.
— We have issued a formal notice to the HPP administration. The amount of engine oil that entered the water and the damage to nature are now being determined. It is also being established how long the leak lasted. The HPP management reported that about three liters of petroleum products were entering the Angara per hour, — said environmental prosecutor Alexey Kalinin.
It is known that the oil entered the water due to a failure of the relay mechanisms. An examination of water samples is currently being conducted.