Alberta fuel spill creates caution downstream in Saskatchewan
Gov't says leaky locomotive caused the spill
By Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Your West Central Voice
A fuel spill that occurred near Medicine Hat, AB created some caution downstream in Saskatchewan over the May 2 weekend.
Your West Central Voice was notified May 4 of a social media post from the Town of Leader noting the municipality was informed of a fuel spill that had the potential to affect the town.
Source of trouble. The Alberta government said a CPKC locomotive leaked fuel as it left a train yard in Medicine Hat, AB May 1. GOOGLE MAPS
"The Town of Leader has been notified of a fuel spill into the South Saskatchewan River near Medicine Hat," stated the social media post. "Based on current information, the affected water is expected to reach our water intake on Sunday.
"At this time the Town reservoir is full and we will not need to draw water from the river until the contamination has safely passed our intake.
"We are continuing to work closely with the Water Security Agency to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available."
Town of Leader Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Erin Romanuik said in a phone call May 5 that the contamination wasn't expected to reach that community until May 7. The CAO stated that the town is playing it safe anyway. "Just out of precaution, we're not pumping," she said.
Alberta's Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas noted that the diesel leak was related to railway operations. "Alberta's government received notification that a locomotive was leaking diesel as it left the train yard in Medicine Hat, prompting a response from a local environment officer," stated the Alberta government email May 4. "Most of the spilled diesel spilled on the ground and a small amount went into the river.
"The health and safety of Albertans, communities and the environment are always our first priority in these situations. Environmental contractors for both land and water remediation were brought in, and a vac truck was used to clean up the area shortly after the incident.
"A thorough inspection of the South Saskatchewan River was completed by boat and drone imagery near the release site and more than 30 kilometres downstream. The contractors reported no sheen or minimal sheen where the diesel entered the river, and no diesel was reported further downstream.
"Water samples were taken both upstream and downstream and have been submitted for testing.
"Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railroad (CPKC) is required to pay for all associated clean-up costs."
The Government of Saskatchewan stated it's also keeping an eye on the situation. "At about 11 p.m. on Apr. 30, the Water Security Agency (WSA) was made aware of a spill of about 800 litres of fuel from a CPKC engine at Medicine Hat by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas to the (Saskatchewan) provincial spill line," stated Sean Osmar, manager, communications, Communications & Client Services Corporate Services.
"CPKC and the province of Alberta have environmental response teams on site to assess and mitigate the situation. Currently, the risk to Saskatchewan water supplies is extremely low.
"Communities that rely on the South Saskatchewan River as a drinking water source have been contacted, and can use water currently stored, or are already using wells that are removed from surface flows. WSA is monitoring the situation and there is no indication of concern at this time.
"The forecasted travel time from the spill site to the Saskatchewan border is about five days (May 4). WSA continues to work with officials in the Ministry of Environment, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), and in Alberta Environment to stay up to date on conditions.
"WSA will provide updates as new information becomes available."