Water still unsafe in Loreto oil spill area

Government authorities are distributing drinking water to communities near Saramuro city in Peru's Loreto region, where parts of the Marañon river remain contaminated following the June 19 oil spill. An accident on a boat operated by Argentine oil firm Pluspetrol led 350 barrels of oil to spill into the river near Saramuro port, state news agency Andina reported. The Marañon river supplies water directly to the surrounding area, which has no potable water system. Residents have been warned not to drink the water and the government is sending additional shipments of bottled water. Pluspetrol is also sending water and medical supplies to the area, the report said. Pluspetrol was able to contain the spill by pumping oil from the boat when the leak was detected, according to a company spokesperson. The company expects cleanup efforts to be completed by end-June, the report said. Provincial prosecutors and national environment authorities have begun an investigation to determine responsibility for the spill.