Fertilizer disaster in Eichsfeld: Thousands of fish dead, where is the help?

Fertilizer disaster in Eichsfeld: Thousands of fish dead, where is the help?

Last week, a serious environmental disaster occurred in Eichsfeld, more precisely in Westerode. The discharge of several thousand liters of liquid fertilizer from a silo has led to a massive fish kill, severely affecting not only local waterways but also wildlife in the area. Around three kilometers of the Hahle river stretch are now biologically dead, and thousands of fish and many microorganisms have been found dead. This drastic situation was reported by Göttinger Tageblatt, but there has been no public discussion or outcry so far. Even politicians and the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment do not comment on these dramatic developments.

What exactly happened? According to information from [NDR]. The fertilizer, which contains ammonia - a substance that is highly toxic to fish - caused massive damage. Numerous dead fish, including dozens of brown trout and hundreds of gudgeon fish, were pulled out of the water by members of the Rollshausen fishing club. The Lower Saxony Anglers Association described the incident as a “total loss”. Other animals such as otters, herons and kingfishers are also affected by this incident.

The impact on the environment

Ralf Gerken from the Lower Saxony Anglers' Association emphasizes that the ecological damage is enormous. Above the accident site, life was previously teeming with life, while below the fertilizer discharge point a total failure was detected. The Göttingen district has already initiated an investigation to clarify the exact causes of this incident. It is still unclear whether a technical defect, human error or even intent was behind the silo leak. The police are investigating water pollution, a serious matter that is being prosecuted under Section 324 of the Criminal Code.

The affected facility has now been taken out of operation and the contaminated areas have been ordered to be rehabilitated. An independent water ecological report has also been commissioned, although this will take several weeks. Studies suggest that nature could take up to ten years to recover from this severe damage. This also raises questions about the permitting of the facility near a stream and the safety of the operation.

Health aspects and long-term consequences

Fortunately, the Göttingen district rules out a health risk to humans, even though soil and water samples were taken. Plans call for the affected soil to be removed to a depth of up to 20 cm to ensure that no more harmful substances enter the waterways.

The nationwide discussion about water pollution is very topical. Facts such as water pollution being the second most common environmental crime in Germany demonstrate the need for continued attention and measures to prevent such incidents. According to Wikipedia, the treatment and prevention of water pollution is now supported by stricter regulations and protected areas that are intended to curb water pollution.

In the meantime, the question remains: Where is the public outcry? The incident in Duderstadt not only sheds light on the dangers of agriculture, but also makes it clear how important it is to protect our waters. This is an issue that needs to be taken seriously by all sides - political, community and environmental activists - before it is too late.