An oil storage turned into an oil swamp
Stretching over 4 hectares, the oil tanks at Višķi Vocational Secondary School were constructed in the 1960s to support the school's central heating system and Špoģi village. They operated as a heavy fuel oil storage until the mid-1970s. Over time, the structural integrity of these tanks weakened, leading to significant oil leakage beyond their protective walls.
In the last decades, the consequences of this pollution have been posing serious health and environmental risks. While wildlife is directly impacted by such an event, mainly in terms of injuries or loss of habitat, humans might not immediately realise how they could be affected. Some of the health risks associated with living near an oil spill include:
● Respiratory problems
● Irritations
● Neurological effects
● Traumatic symptoms
● Reproductive damage
● Cancer
● Immune system suppression
● Mental health impact
This highlights how crucial it is for authorities to respond promptly to oil spills. They can do so by implementing mitigation measures, providing necessary assistance and monitoring the health of affected communities. It is imperative to make things better for the younger generations of Višķi, who deserve a chance to grow up and flourish in a healthy environment.
“In the past, residents of the Višķi parish depended on fuel oil. Right now, we need to get rid of it. When our municipality got funding from the Norway Grants, we finally got the opportunity to fix this problem.” - Jānis Briška, Resident of Višķi Parish, Augšdaugava municipality in Latvia
It is time to heal the land
In the summer of 2021, the Latvian Association Višķu attīstībai, launched a transformative project with the help of their Norwegian partner, Henric Johansson Konsult. Together, they set out to remediate the historically polluted site:
“In Višķi, we get to work with local partners on an environmental remediation project and see firsthand the empowering effect on the broader community at first hand. In the Augšdaugava municipality of Latvia, nearly 20,000 residents will benefit from the project.” - Henric Johansson, Konsult Norway
Thanks to the support of the EEA and Norway Grants, this alliance is certain to make a lasting impact on the lives of those living in the vicinity of this pollution. Remediating the site is a necessary step to improve soil quality and prevent further harm to human health and the environment.
The first phase of the project focuses on eradicating the pollution at its source. The next phase involves rehabilitating and revitalising the contaminated area, benefitting the residents of the former Daugavpils municipality.
“At the start, we literally wanted to get to the root of the problem: disassemble the heavy fuel repositories, excavate the heavily polluted soil, clean up the surrounding area and, eventually, prevent further risks to the environment and health.” - Juta Valaine, Project Coordinator
Raising awareness, empowering change
In addition to the necessary step of diminishing the environmental pollution, it is especially important to make sure that this kind of situation does not happen again. This is why the project also entails educating communities about environmental matters through an awareness campaign made up of workshops.
These sessions aim to inform the community about the impact of pollution on both the environment and human health, particularly considering its amplification through climate change. With the support of the EEA and Norway Grants, educational activities have actively engaged school-aged children in understanding the impact of pollution and the significance of safeguarding the environment.
Moreover, an art competition, organised by the central administration of the Augšdaugava region and the association Višķu įvėdasi, brought together young talents to create thought-provoking visual artworks. These masterpieces explored themes such as "Effects of pollution on the environment and human health," "The role and involvement of society in mitigating climate change consequences," "The impact of human activity on climate change," and "Climate change - what can I do?"
A shared vision uniting the community
Witnessing the progress of the cleanup, the Višķi community is brimming with hope and excitement for the complete restoration of the Višķi Vocational Secondary School grounds. This common goal has united the people of Višķi parish, transforming a once-disregarded site into the object of collective effort’s power.
“This place was doomed to become a tribute to an era when neglecting environmental problems was normal. Now, thanks to the municipality, the Norway Grants, and local and state authorities, this will become a tribute to what can be achieved if we work together as one.” - Janis Vanags, For development of Višķi NGO - Latvia
Building a sustainable future
With help and funding from Henric Johansson Konsult and the EEA and Norway Grants, the project commenced in August 2021 and continues to strive for success until April 2024. By setting a precedent for environmental conservation, this project aligns with the broader mission of the Norway Grants, supporting efforts to reduce pollution and combat climate change across Europe.
As Višķi embarks on this transformative journey, the hopes and dreams of the community become stronger, painting a brighter, healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come.
This article is part of the #OurStories campaign. The campaign looks at the vast variety of inspirational stories of projects and connections made possible through the EEA and Norway Grants. We will be sharing these stories on this website through articles and videos published on social media and Youtube. More importantly, #OurStories is a platform for the thousands of project participants who have in one way or the other been involved in projects made possible by the EEA and Norway Grants.
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