An agreement between the government of Peru, the Achuar indigenous people and Argentinean oil company Pluspetrol will see contaminated wetlands in the Amazon cleaned up after decades of pollution. According to the agreement, all production waters generated during petroleum extraction operations in the Abanico de Pastaza wetlands in northern Peru are to be re-injected into the subsoil by July 2008. In addition, a US$13 million integrated health fund is to be created for local indigenous groups that have been ill affected by 30 years of contamination. Training will be provided to communities to monitor and guarantee a fresh water supply.

“This is a unique achievement,” said Fred Prins, WWF Peru’s Country Representative. “The agreement will allow the three parties to work together towards a solution to clean up the environment.” According to WWF, Pluspetrol has been dragging its feet for several years to re-inject 1.1 million barrels of production water contaminated with heavy metals (mainly lead and cadmium) and hydrocarbons, and has continued to dump its waste into rivers without any treatment.

Recent studies by WWF and the International University of Florida have provided proof of severe water pollution in the Corrientes river basin, where the wetlands are located. Blood testing by Peruvian health authorities have shown that local populations, especially children, have lead and cadmium concentration at levels above the current guidelines of the World Health Organization. WWF has also facilitated studies to demonstrate the technical and financial feasibility of a plan that allows safe underground disposal of the production water.

Since 1999, WWF has worked with local indigenous groups in Peru’s Abanico de Pastaza wetlands area to assist in building legal and environmental capacities. The global conservation organization has also helped start an oil contamination monitoring programme and supported several studies that helped Achuar reach an agreement with the Peruvian government and the oil company.

“We will continue working with local communities of the Corrientes river basin to ensure the fulfillment of the agreement, which should bring about a healthier environment for the people living here,” added Michael Valqui, WWF Peru’s Freshwater Programme Manager.
(WWF, 07/11/2006)
http://www.panda.org/index.cfm?uNewsID=85520