Cilacap wells contaminated

Cilacap wells contaminated

CILACAP, Central Java: More than 700 wells which provide clean water to thousands of people were contaminated after last week's oil refinery blaze.

The contaminated wells are located in the Lomanis and Donan subdistricts, both located within a radius of 500 to 1,000 meters of the Pertamina UP IV refinery, Antara said quoting Cilacap administration's spokesman Suprihono.

Ash and residue from the fire, mixed with rainwater, have flowed into the wells, he explained.

The thousands of people evacuated during the fire returned to their homes this week only to find that they no longer had access to clean water.

The Cilacap administration, Suprihono said, has sent water tankers to the two districts. The administration is also assisting in cleaning the wells, he added. (emb)