Crews cleaning up diesel spill in northern Sask. lake
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 | 1:51 PM ET
CBC Arts
Environment officials are working to clean up a spill of diesel fuel on a northern Saskatchewan lake, the worst of its kind in years.
Early indications are that between 5,000 and 6,000 litres of fuel leaked from a storage tank into a stream leading to Welcome Bay, which is near Wollaston Lake in the northeast part of the province.
People in the village of Wollaston Lake and the Hatchet Lake First Nation have been told to stay out of the water and not to drink directly from Welcome Bay.
Water intakes shut off
Wes Kotyk, a spokesman for the provincial Environment Department, said the communities in the area have shut off their water intake to ensure that there are no contaminants getting into their systems.
Other officials said the community has a day and a half supply of drinking water, assuming rationing takes place.
Shortly after the leak was discovered, a valve on the tank was closed to prevent further spillage, Kotyk said.
The RCMP are investigating to see if someone deliberately did something to cause the tank to leak.
A cleanup crew arrived Tuesday night and went to work immediately to control a plume of diesel that's estimated to measure 300 by 500 metres, Kotyk said.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
Latest Canada News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Forest fires still burning near Timmins, Ont.
- A new forest fire is burning north of Highway 101 near Timmins, Ont., creating a new challenge for firefighters who have been working to contain another fire in the area. more »
- RCMP to close labs in Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina
- The RCMP is closing forensic laboratories in Halifax, Winnipeg and Regina and consolidating them with three others in a move the force says will lead to faster, more efficient service. more »
The National
The Current
- What does it take to get fired at the RCMP? May. 25, 2012 5:02 PM After a senior Mountie was demoted for disgraceful conduct including sex with subordinates, exposing himself and drinking on the job, some former employees wonder what you have to do to get fired.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- Reclaiming the dead on Mt. Everest
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- Brave cat makes epic leap of faith
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
