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January 18, 2017 - 4:44 PM
VAVENBY - Residents near Vavenby may have some answers tomorrow, after a diesel spill in the North Thompson River earlier this week.
The spill happened Monday, Jan. 16, south of Avola, after a truck crashed into the waterway. Interior Health says it is estimated that 800 litres of diesel fuel ran into the water after the semi-trailer's fuel tank was punctured in the crash. Cleanup efforts began after the accident.
Interior Health advised residents who use water from the North Thompson to monitor their water as a precaution along a 40-kilometre stretch downstream from the spill site.
Thompson Nicola Regional District spokesperson Jake Devlin says water quality is still being monitored in the Vavenby area.
He says while there is no evidence of disel in the water, "obviously we’re erring on the side of caution."
According to a news release from the regional district, Vavenby residents who have been impacted by the spill have been supplied with bottled water and more is available at the fire hall until 7 p.m. tonight.
Residents are being asked to not use the river water if it smells or tastes like fuel; no drinking, showering, bathing or brushing teeth if a fuel odour is detected.
"Diesel fuel can pose a health risk following ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption," the news release says.
The district has taken samples of the water in the area, all of which have been sent off to specialized labs, Devlin says. He expects results from the lab testing to be available tomorrow.
There is also a public meeting this evening for residents affected by the spill. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Vavenby Community Hall, where representatives from the TNRD, Ministry of Environment and Interior Health Authority will be speaking.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017