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7,000 Liters of Contaminated Water Leak from Maglev Construction Site in Yamanashi
Authorities Launch Water Quality Investigation After Chromium Detected

Yamanashi Prefecture officials have confirmed that approximately 7,000 liters of contaminated water spilled from a Linear Chuo Shinkansen construction site in Hayakawa Town, flowing into a tributary of the Oi River. The leak has prompted an urgent water quality investigation.

According to the prefectural government, the water—stored in tanks at the tunnel construction site—was found to contain hexavalent chromium, a hazardous substance that exceeds legal discharge standards. The spill reportedly occurred when water collected during excavation work overflowed from containment facilities.

Environmental authorities have collected samples from the river and surrounding groundwater to assess the potential impact on ecosystems and local water resources. Hexavalent chromium is widely recognized as a toxic industrial pollutant, raising concerns about contamination downstream.

Officials stated that they will monitor the situation closely and review safety measures at the site. “We are committed to preventing further incidents and ensuring that all environmental standards are met,” a prefectural spokesperson said.

The leak adds to ongoing scrutiny of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen project, which has faced criticism over its potential effects on water resources in the region.

Info based on: https://www.msn.com/ja-jp/news/national ... r-AA1IQiAi Accessed 2025-07-19

I know the NIMBY guy has gone so it sounds a bit sus probably the Japanese communist party.

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On July 17, at the construction site of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen’s South Alps Tunnel in Hayakawa Town, contaminated water overflowed from a storage tank and leaked into a nearby river. The tank had been collecting rainwater that came into contact with excavated soil. An estimated 7 cubic meters of wastewater was released, and remaining water in the tank was found to contain hexavalent chromium, a harmful substance exceeding discharge limits.

The incident was caused by a contractor’s worker forgetting to turn off the pump that was filling the tank. In response, JR Central (JR Tokai) announced new preventive measures on August 4, including installing automatic pump shutoff systems that activate when water reaches a certain level, and requiring pump status checks twice a day.

JR Central apologized for the concern caused and stated it will guide contractors to work more carefully with consideration for the surrounding environment.

Yamanashi Prefecture conducted water quality tests at two points along the Hayakawa River and confirmed that the concentration of hexavalent chromium was below environmental standards. Authorities concluded that there was no impact on the local environment.

Info based on NHK News: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kofu/20250 ... 27452.html Accessed 2025-08-04