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8 January 2007

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• Buncefield Investigation
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Buncefield - latest news

Latest news - 13 November 2006

This update is part of a series covering our ongoing work on the Buncefield Incident.

Monitoring results

• We have now installed all of the additional seven monitoring boreholes which will provide more information for us to establish the extent and movement of the contamination in the groundwater.

• There has been little change from our last update (number 12) with regard to our monitoring results although we now have limited monitoring results from some of the newly installed boreholes. These show low levels of contamination with PFOS detected in the newly installed borehole to the east of the site.

• We continue to sample on-site and off-site boreholes and surface waters monthly.

• We have agreed that Three Valleys Water can undertake a limited short-term trial of pumping water from their borehole located at Bow Bridge. This water will pass through the water treatment works and be discharged into the river. It will not be used for drinking water. This trial is the first phase of a long-term plan to bring the Bow Bridge pumping station safely back on line. We are waiting for their method statement for this work.

Stored firewaters

• The treatment and disposal of contaminated firewaters stored at Maple Lodge Sewage Treatment Works began on Monday 6 November. We will be inspecting the operations regularly as well as carrying out our own independent sampling of the discharge throughout the operation to ensure the environment is protected.
  
• Proposals for the disposal of contaminated firewaters at Blackbirds Sewage Treatment Works have now been received from the oil companies and we are currently considering them.
  
• We are awaiting an update from the oil companies in connection with firewaters currently being stored elsewhere.

Site update

• Rainwater from the site is being collected and treated before entering the local water system and eventually entering the River Ver. We are satisfied with the oil companies’ arrangements and methodology to clean this rainwater.

• We will be regularly inspecting the operations and carrying out our own independent sampling of the discharge to ensure the environment is protected.

Forward Look

Updates will continue to be provided as and when new information becomes available.

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