On July 21st, 2016, a Husky oil pipeline burst, leaking 200,000 – 250,000 litres of oil into the North Saskatchewan River just upstream of Maidstone, and 75 kms upstream of Paynton Ferry. Water intakes were closed for many of the communities down river as the damage was assessed and berms to control the spill were put in place. A temporary water line was put in place which only delivered 1/3 of the regular water supply to the area. (Global News)
Five samples were taken in a 20km stretch of the river on August 2nd to analyze the water for drinking, all which failed based on federal government regulations. A third party consultant company was hired to complete the water samples from various depths along the river. Over 1000 samples have been collected, results of 900 of them have been released which met guidelines. Some of these samples were collected up to 385kms downstream in Prince Albert. Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency has also began its own independent sampling.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment predicts that the spill is unlikely to be contained as the sediments sink to the bottom of the river and become distributed. The reported animal death pole is at 63 as of August 2nd. Environment and Climate Change Canada is investigating whether the spill violates other Canadian law such as the Fisheries Act and Migratory Birds Convention Act. Elizabeth McSheffrey reports for the National Observer that 130,000 litres of oil has so far been recovered and booms have been put in place to contain the rest. See Husky’s report from August 2nd, 2016 here.
This Husky pipeline was built in 1997, and it seems shortsighted to approve new projects when old infrastructure developments are causing significant problems. Hopefully the people in the Maidstone and Prince Albert regions have safe drinking water returned to them as soon as possible.
It seems Husky has done everything in their power to correct this spill to the best of their abilities. Containment, clean up, water assessments, and wildlife relief efforts have all been implemented and people’s safety has not been compromised. Hopefully their efforts will be successful, but more preventative measures should be taken in order to reduce these risks in the first place. Older pipelines and infrastructure should have more inspections and mitigations to prevent these spills in the first place which cause environmental damage, put people’s lives and livelihoods at risk, and cost the government and tax payers money.
Encourage conversation, create change
megacosmcolumn 