Dead fish are still being salvaged in the Nanjing section of Chuhe River

On May 25, the work of salvaging dead fish is still continuing. The river water along the way exudes bursts of pungent odors, flies swarm, and the stench is overwhelming. The villagers in charge of salvaging told reporters that dead fish have been constantly floating on the water in the past two days, and the river is full of black, "black and muddy, I dare not wash my hands."

At noon on May 25, CCTV reporters went upstream along the Nanjing section of Chuhe River and found that the work of salvaging dead fish along the coast was still continuing. The river water along the way exudes bursts of pungent odors. Near the Fuxing Culvert in Fuxingwei, Yongning Street, Pukou District, Nanjing, the dead fish and river clams that had just been salvaged were packed in more than a dozen white woven bags, with flies swarming and a foul smell.

The reporter saw at the scene that, beside the water plants by the river, several nearby villagers, holding nets and other tools, were going upstream along the Chuhe River to salvage dead fish. In the river, two people drove a small boat to salvage floating objects.

The villagers in charge of salvaging told reporters that since the local maximum temperature exceeded 31¡æ in the past two days, dead fish kept coming to the surface. The river was full of black in the first two days, and it began to turn dark green on the 25th. The reporter saw various impurities floating in the river near the Maozui Pumping Station of the Chuhe River, and the black water was still clearly visible.

Reporter: What day did this happen?

Nearby villagers: It was on the 23rd.

Reporter: What was the water like on the 23rd? Was there any smell?

Nearby villagers: The water is black, not only black but also muddy. It smells pungent, and we dare not wash our hands.

It is understood that Chuhe River is located between the Yangtze River and the Huai River, and is a first-level tributary on the left bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It originates in Liangyuan Town, Feidong County, Hefei City, and enters the Yangtze River in Liuhe District, Nanjing City. The main stream is 269 kilometers long and has a basin area of 7,829.9 square kilometers.

Where does the stinking water come from?

On the evening of May 23, the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City issued a statement saying that after the water quality of Chuhe River was polluted, the local government closed the Chahe Gate and Xianghekou Gate to cut off sewage, and carried out emergency treatment and water quality monitoring. Reporters verified from multiple sources that after the pollution incident, the local investigation team had not yet been established. Anhui and Jiangsu are strengthening communication and handling.

Reason disclosed!

Hazardous chemicals caught fire and pollutants leaked into the river

The reporter learned from an insider that the abnormal water quality of Chuhe River was related to the fire of crude methanol, a hazardous chemical, in the warehouse of Anhui Chuzhou Fuxin Petroleum Additives Co., Ltd. on May 7, which caused pollutants to leak into the Chuhe River.

The reporter investigated for many days and learned from an insider that the water quality of Chuhe River has been abnormal recently, which is related to the fire of crude methanol in the warehouse of Anhui Chuzhou Fuxin Petroleum Additives Co., Ltd., which caused pollutants to leak into the Chuhe River.

At 7 o'clock in the evening on May 25, the CCTV reporter followed the guidance of the insider and rushed to the third phase standardized factory building on the east side of Jinger Road in Quanjiao Economic Development Zone, where Fuxin Petroleum Warehouse is located, to investigate. There are 6 factory buildings here, covering an area of 42 acres. It was built in 2012. The factory buildings belong to Quanjiao Baisheng Metal Technology Co., Ltd. and are now leased to four local companies. Factory Building No. 2, where the fire broke out, has been partially dismantled. Environmental monitoring personnel are extracting sewage samples on site. There are still many plastic barrels filled with unknown liquids piled up in the warehouse next to it. The air is filled with a pungent smell of chemicals.

The reporter found from the fire accident identification certificate issued by the Quanjiao County Fire Rescue Brigade on May 24 that a fire broke out in the warehouse of Chuzhou Fuxin Additives Co., Ltd. at around 7 pm on May 7. The Chuzhou Fire Rescue Detachment mobilized 30 fire trucks and 140 fire rescue personnel to deal with the fire on site. The fire was extinguished at around 0:00 on May 8. After on-site inspection, the fire burned the warehouse of Chuzhou Fuxin Petroleum Additives Co., Ltd., burned some goods and plastic barrels in the warehouse, and completely burned the tank truck parked in the warehouse that was unloading crude methanol, with no casualties.

Dou Ping, director of the Quanjiao County Ecological Environment Branch of Chuzhou City: There are two main types of storage materials, one is glycerol, the chemical name of glycerol is propylene glycol, and the other is molasses, which is a sugar substance. But the real fire was caused by improper operation of the loading and unloading workers, that is, the dangerous goods drivers, during the unloading of crude methanol.

It is understood that the fire destroyed the No. 2 plant, and a mixture of nearly 20 tons of hazardous chemicals crude methanol and a large amount of fire-fighting foam, glycerin, molasses, etc. flowed into the development zone flood discharge channel through the ditch next to the plant, and entered the Chuhe River through the Huayuan Reservoir, Tuqiao West River, and Xiang River. Reporters noticed that the trees near the scene of the incident turned yellow as a whole after being polluted, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding green trees.

CCTV reporters learned from the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City that the cause of the large-scale dead fish in the Chuhe River was related to the fire of hazardous chemicals crude methanol in the warehouse of Chuzhou Fuxin Petroleum Additives Co., Ltd. on May 7, which caused the pollutants to leak into the Chuhe River.

Dou Ping, Director of the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City: Our preliminary analysis and judgment is that it is related to the leakage of some stored materials in the fire-fighting water and rainwater discharged into the water body due to a fire in an enterprise in the development zone on May 7, which may be the main reason. It is also combined with the tail water of crayfish breeding and the concentrated retreat, as well as some weather reasons, such as high temperature and rain.

The staff at the gate reported that the water body was abnormal

The relevant departments believed that "no problem" was not taken seriously

After the fire, the local ecological environment department set up an earth dam at the Garden Reservoir to block the polluted water. However, a heavy rain washed away the earth dam and sewage entered the Garden Reservoir.

On May 20, the river water upstream of the gate was already polluted. In response, the Water Conservancy Bureau responded that it was "based on experience" and "no problem", so that the pollution problem that had been discovered did not receive due attention and treatment.

After the fire broke out, the fire-fighting foam and a mixture of glycerin, molasses, and hazardous chemicals such as crude methanol flowed into the flood discharge channel of the development zone through the side ditch next to the factory building. The local ecological and environmental department set up a more than ten-meter-long earth dam at Chuantang Road Bridge upstream of the Huayuan Reservoir, 3 kilometers away from the factory building, to block the polluted water. At the same time, the company mobilized dozens of tank trucks from other places to extract thousands of tons of polluted water, pack them or have the company transport them for treatment.

The reporter went along the river from the Huayuan Reservoir and followed the clues to the Xianghekou Gate of the Simashan River Diversion Project in Anhui Province. It is adjacent to the confluence of the Xianghe River and the Chuhe River. The staff told reporters that on May 20, the river water upstream of the gate had obviously changed color and pollution had occurred.

Wei Zhaohang, deputy director of the Xianghekou Gate Management Office of the Simashan River Diversion Project in Anhui Province: The color is a little black, and the smell may be a little irritating.

Reporter: Was the gate open when this happened?

Wei Zhaohang, deputy director of the Xianghekou Sluice Management Office of the Simashan River Diversion Project in Anhui Province: It is in a closed state.

Dai Jinsong, chief of the Water Conservancy Section of the Simashan River Diversion Project Management Office in Anhui Province: After discovering the abnormal water body, he (Wei Zhaohang) called me and sent me two photos. The water quality at the gate was very poor, and there were dead fish.

After reporting the abnormal water body to the Simashan River Diversion Project Management Office, the staff of the Xianghekou Sluice Management Office then rushed to the Quanjiao County River Chief Office, but did not see anyone. The staff then reported the abnormal water body at the gate to Yang Jun, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Quanjiao County Water Conservancy Bureau.

Wei Zhaohang, deputy director of the Xianghekou Sluice Management Office of the Simashan River Diversion Project in Anhui Province: Secretary Dai Chuanhua and Director Fang Chun of our office went to the Quanjiao Water Conservancy Bureau to report the situation.

Yang Jun, member of the Party Leadership Group of Quanjiao County Water Conservancy Bureau: On the 20th, (Dai Chuanhua and Fang Chun) asked me why the water at the Xianghekou Gate was a little black. To be honest, I really don't know. I can only tell him based on my experience that it might be that the shrimp (farming) water was changed in May. The water in the shrimp field was changed, and the water quality in the river was not good. In addition, the water level in the lower reaches of the Xianghe River was relatively low a few days ago, and it was a waterway, so the boats were stirring in it. This situation also happened in previous years. There should be no other situation, because I really don't know what the situation is.

The reporter found that on May 20, the Quanjiao County People's Government issued a "Letter on Requesting Coordination with Simashan Management Office to Start Water Lifting" to the Chuzhou Water Conservancy Bureau, mentioning that "in order to effectively guarantee the living water for urban residents in Chuzhou City and Quanjiao County and the agricultural production water in the embankment area along the Chuhe River", it requested "arrange for Simashan Management Office to start water lifting". On May 22, the Xianghekou Gate was opened to release water.

In this way, the relevant departments' "based on experience" and "no problem" prevented the pollution problems that had been discovered from receiving due attention and treatment.

Yang Jun, member of the Party Leadership Group of Quanjiao County Water Conservancy Bureau: There is one more thing. To be honest, I will retire in two months. I shouldn't ask too many questions about these things.

The reporter saw in the operating record book of the control gate of the Xianghekou Gate Management Office of the Simashan River Diversion Project in Anhui Province that the control gate here was originally in a completely closed state on the morning of May 18. However, two days after the water pollution was discovered, at 10:50 am on May 22, five of the seven control gates at the mouth of the Xianghe River were opened, and the sewage that had been accumulated in front of the gate for two days flowed smoothly into the Chuhe River. This time the water was released until 15:50 on May 23, lasting 29 hours.

Wei Zhaohang, deputy director of the Xianghekou Gate Management Office of the Simashan River Diversion Project in Anhui Province: The water was still black and smelly when the gate was opened this time.

Huang Zhongfei, deputy director of the Quanjiao County Water Conservancy Bureau: On May 23, there was public opinion that there might be unidentified pollutants in the water, causing the death of fish and shrimp, and the Xianghe Gate was closed at that time.

Large area of lobsters died around abnormal water bodies

People hope for water quality testing

Department reply: No need

This pollution incident not only caused the death of a large number of fish and shrimp in the Nanjing section of the Chuhe River, but also caused a large area of farmed lobsters in Quanjiao to die, causing huge losses to farmers. Some people reported through Chuzhou City 12345 that staff who claimed that they had not participated in the handling of the problem became the "undertaker".

People are very worried about whether the sewage is toxic, and they expect the water quality test results of the ecological environment department to give a professional answer. However, the Quanjiao County Ecological Environment Branch replied: It is not necessary.

In recent days, reporters have conducted research in Jiangsu and Anhui and found that this pollution incident not only caused the death of a large number of fish and shrimp in the Nanjing section of Chuhe River, but also caused a large-scale death of farmed lobsters in Quanjiao, causing huge losses to farmers.

On the afternoon of May 26, in Wugang Town, Quanjiao County, a villager told reporters that the crayfish he raised in his home had died in the past few days. At present, this villager and his neighbors dare not use river water to raise crayfish.

During local visits, many villagers confirmed to reporters that river water pollution has affected the local ecological environment and people's lives. Among them, the death of fish and shrimp is the most obvious phenomenon.

Reporter: Can large-scale deaths occur?

Villagers in Wugang Town, Quanjiao County: Yes, there are on the riverside.

Reporter: When did large-scale deaths occur?

Villagers in Wugang Town, Quanjiao County: I'm afraid it was a few days ago, probably when the water was polluted.

Some people reported the difficulties caused by the pollution of the environment around them through the 12345 hotline of Chuzhou City.

People reported the problem through the hotline. The person in charge: Did not participate in the handling

During the visit, the reporter found that Chuzhou 12345 was posted online by netizens for complaints from the people. The content showed:

The 12345 hotline attached great importance to the problem of black and smelly water quality in the Xianghe River in Laoguanchen Village, Xianghe Town, Quanjiao County, which you reported. It was immediately assigned and urged the undertaking unit to handle it seriously. The Quanjiao County Government reported: The staff of the Environmental Protection Bureau went to the scene to check. Recently, crayfish farming is concentrated on the withdrawal of water to the Xianghe River. In addition, the long-term high temperature and no rainfall have caused the water quality of some sections of the Xianghe River to decline. There are some black and smelly phenomena, which have led to the death of fish and shrimp. No pollution sources such as enterprises and factories have been found. The situation you reported is true. The person in charge is Yang Renyi.

On May 26, the reporter went to the Quanjiao County Ecological Environment Branch of Chuzhou City to understand the situation. However, the specific person mentioned in the hotline platform¡¯s reply to the masses, Yang Renyi, director of the office of the Quanjiao County Ecological Environment Branch, told reporters that he had never received any complaints from the masses transferred by the hotline.

Reporter: After the fire, have you received any complaints about environmental protection transferred from 12345, the environmental protection hotline, and 110?

Yang Renyi, director of the office of the Quanjiao County Ecological Environment Branch of Chuzhou City: No.

Reporter: But I saw a reply from Chuzhou 12345 about the black and smelly water quality of the Xianghe River in Laoguanchen Village, Xianghe Town, Quanjiao County, and the person who left it was Yang Renyi.

Yang Renyi, director of the office of the Quanjiao County Ecological Environment Branch of Chuzhou City: It was not my reply, I am not sure about this.

Reporter: Does that prove that the reply from Chuzhou 12345 is false?

Yang Renyi, Director of the Office of the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City: It may be because the government's 12345 platform is all on the government's side, and it should be a unified reply from the government. I am not too clear about this.

Reporter: You just didn't deal with it?

Yang Renyi, Director of the Office of the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City: Yes, no.

Reporter: You are the organizer, which means you have never participated from beginning to end?

Yang Renyi, Director of the Office of the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City: I have never participated.

How did a staff member who had not participated in the handling of the problem become the "organizer"? The reporter further asked the Chuzhou Municipal Government for verification, but no reply was received as of press time.

The reporter also found in the investigation that the people were very worried about whether the sewage flowing into the Chuhe River was toxic, and they also expected the water quality test results of the ecological environment department to give a professional reply. With a series of questions, the reporter came to the Quanjiao County Ecological Environment Branch to inquire and received such a reply.

Dou Ping, Director of the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City: I haven¡¯t seen any laws and regulations requiring toxicity analysis in this regard.

Reporter: So you didn¡¯t do it?

Dou Ping, Director of the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City: Indeed, we didn¡¯t do it.

Reporter: So is the water that enters the river toxic? Our environmental protection department doesn¡¯t know either?

Dou Ping, Director of the Ecological Environment Branch of Quanjiao County, Chuzhou City: I don¡¯t think it¡¯s necessary to do it for firefighting water.

Currently, relevant departments in Jiangsu and Anhui are stepping up communication and coordination on this pollution incident, and CCTV reporters will continue to pay attention to the latest developments of the incident.

(CCTV reporters Tang Tao, Wang Ning, Yang Weidong, Zhang Xiaofeng)