Toxin levels in the underground water of the Valencia Zone in Spain have exceeded the safe standard by 1,000 times.

The owner of a waste disposal plant in the province of Castellón is suspected of dumping toxic substances that caused the drinking water supply to be cut off for two weeks. The level of toxins was a thousand times higher than allowed.

Feb. 10

Civil Guard officers arrived at an industrial site in Val d'Uso after a report of contaminated water. Here they found a strong odor in the drinking water, which had taken on a whitish tinge. Investigation revealed that the contamination was caused by a hazardous waste company.

A malfunction in the production process and subsequent repairs caused water from the waste treatment process to seep into the local water supply. Due to the risk of poisoning people, public health officials shut off the water supply to several businesses within the plant for 14 days. Analysis of the water revealed a mixture of toxic substances including detergents, ketones and acetates.

May 11

The Civil Guard established the identity of the offender - a 64-year-old man. An indictment was drawn up on this fact for subsequent court proceedings.

More regional news:

• Businesses in Spain's Valencia region will receive public funds to introduce a four-day working week.
• A Valencia street will be renamed in honor of a cartoonist assassinated by Franco during Spain's dictatorship.
• The head of a natural park in the province of Castellón is also under investigation over the deaths of 12 donkeys in Spain's Valencia region.