Oil and chemical spills

The rescue department is responsible for damage limitation and initial response measures in case of an environmental accident.

The City of Espoo’s Environment Protection Unit provides expert assistance in relation to the special characteristics of the natural environments in Espoo.

Oil and chemical spills may contaminate the soil as well as surface and groundwater. In the event of an accident, it is important to quickly minimise contamination and prevent further damage. The contaminated land and/or water area must be cleaned up. The absorbent substance used for cleaning up oil and chemical spills and the soil removed during the process must be taken to a hazardous waste collection point(external link, opens in a new window) or another suitable reception facility according to the degree of contamination. In case of more extensive environmental damage, it may be necessary to submit a notification of the clean-up of soil or groundwater to the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.

The costs of immediate response and clean-up measures related to environmental damage and offences are, as a rule, charged to the party causing the damage. If the party causing the damage cannot be identified, the owner of the property or land area is responsible for the costs.

Environmental damage can be prevented by paying attention to the ways in which oil and chemicals are handled and stored. An oil spill may be noticed, for example, in connection with the removal of underground tanks. Espoo’s environmental protection regulations contain provisions to prevent damage.

Oil or a bacterial film on the surface of water?

An oil-like film on the surface of water is not always oil. Iron and manganese are naturally released into water from soil and bedrock. When the water comes into contact with oxygen on the surface, these metals oxidise and, together with ferrous bacteria, form an oil-like film. This film created through bacterial activity breaks down into separate flaky pieces on the edges. You can try to break the film, for example, by using a stick. A bacterial film also has no smell. Especially in shallow waters, such as ditches, bacterial activity can result in large rust-coloured areas. However, this is not environmental damage, but merely a natural phenomenon.

Oil, on the other hand, has a distinctive smell. An oil film is flexible and does not break down but forms a single mass. If no more oil is leaking into the environment and there is no acute need for response measures, you can report the oil spill to the City of Espoo’s Environmental Protection Unit. Messages are read during office hours, and it may take several days until your notification is processed. If the situation requires immediate clean-up measures, you must call the emergency number 112.

Read more:   

Where can I take hazardous waste? (HSY)(external link, opens in a new window)  

Rescue Department’s oil spill response(external link, opens in a new window)