Wapiti Valley, Saskatchewan. Photo courtesy of Enns Kivin, Facebook.
Initial test results on water affected by last month’s Husky Oil pipeline spill are coming back positive.
Test results from the Water Security Agency (WSA) show water from the North Saskatchewan River is safe for drinking, but exceeds national guidelines for protecting aquatic life.
Earlier today, the WSA released the first set of test results from the river since the Husky pipeline spill, which leaked 250,000 litres of oil into the water last month.
Twenty-one samples have been taken so far, and while the samples proved safe for human consumption based on provincial and national a guidelines, a couple samples contained levels of pyrene and toluene, which exceeded the Canadian Protection of Aquatic life guidelines.
Sam Ferris, spokesperson for the WSA, explained why the water can be safe for human consumption and not animals.
“Aquatic life is continuously exposed to it, whereas humans may only drink the water from time to time or may only come into contact when bathing or showering,” said Ferris. “Generally the numbers for protection of aquatic life are lower for human health, so that’s why you see the difference.”
The water safety assessment will help the WSA decide what needs to be done before the affected communities can continue water intake from the river. Several more tests are expected throughout the rest of the month.
Ferris says they hope to have those intakes open sooner rather than later.
“I am fairly optimistic based on the data we have received that it will be in the weeks and not in the months.”
Several communities had their water source either restricted or shut down when 250,000 litre oil spill and sought out alternate sources. The City of Prince Albert built a 30 kilometre waterline to haul water from the South Saskatchewan River to their water treatment plant.
Despite the early tests coming back positive for human use, Ferris stands by the drastic actions taken by the affected communities.
“I remember early in the event we didn’t have a good idea of the oil levels coming down the river, so I believe the alternate water supplies were fully warranted at the time,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment says the the cleanup efforts continue to progress.
So far, 147,000 litres of oil have been recovered and 12 animals are currently in recovery. 115 animals have died because of the spill.