Kupastuntas.co, South Lampung - Black waste suspected to be crude oil waste was found along the edge of Kedu Warna Beach, Way Urang Village, Kalianda District, South Lampung (Lamsel) in recent days.

From observations in the field, the jet-black object smelled like kerosene. The waste was found scattered along the shoreline at the Kedu Warna Beach tourist attraction.

One of the beach cleaners named Edi admitted that the waste had polluted the shoreline in the last three years.

"People here call it tar, and this is the annual arrival every August there is waste like this," said Edi, Tuesday (22/8).

Edi said that the waste had polluted the Kedu Warna Beach tourist attraction for the past two days and stuck to clothes. "This was just yesterday afternoon, there haven't been many in the morning and there have been many in the afternoon. If you touch it, it's sticky and leaves oil. It smells distinctive like kerosene. If it's on a white cloth, the color is slightly brown," he explained.

Edi is worried that this waste could damage the environment, including fish in the sea.

"For the beach it has an effect on visitors because it is sticky and disgusting if you step on it, it's hard to lose, it sticks to clothes and shoes. When exposed to heat it melts, and lumps when it's cold," he continued.

Edi added that the waste had been around since 2021, and even in 2022, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) went directly to Kedu Warna Beach.

"Yesterday the Ministry of Environment and Forestry came and there was no answer. For 2021 there will be more waste. The ministry is following us, calling it tar or oil dregs, not asphalt, yes, if you dispose of oil, it's left over from the sediment," explained Edi.

Edi, who has been working at Kedu Warna Beach since 2019, did not know when asked where the waste was coming from.

"Well, I don't know where it comes from, every August there must be waste like this," said Edi.

Head of Structuring and Capacity Building for the South Lamsel Environmental Service, Ervan Kurniawan, said the agency had gone to the location where the waste was found.

"This morning we went down to the location to check the discovery of waste, and then we will coordinate with the Lampung Province Environment Agency," Ervan said briefly.

The Head of the Environment Agency for Lampung Province, Emilia Kusumawati, admitted that she had received reports of black waste returning to pollute the beach in Kalianda District.

"Yes, we have received reports of black waste contaminating the beach. The reports that have come to us are polluted in South Lampung and on the West Coast in Bengkunat," said Emilia, Tuesday (22/8) afternoon.

Currently, his party is coordinating with related parties to find out the source that caused the black waste to return to contaminate beaches in Lampung. "We don't know where the sources come from. We are currently finding out and are coordinating with related sectors. Because this is detrimental to the community and also fishermen," he explained.

Emilia added that she had confirmed with PT. Pertamina Hulu Energi Offshore Southeast Sumatra (PHE OSES) whether there is a pipeline leak under the sea.

"PHE OSES said there was no leak, whether this was from a tanker or what we are currently trying to find out. If it is OSES it is also impossible for the waste to reach Bengkunat. Later we will find out and coordinate with the relevant sectors," he concluded. (*)

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