The flipped tanker near Saturday Creek
Image Credit: Ministry of Environment
April 04, 2016 - 3:39 PM
PENTICTON - Locals are advised to monitor water from the Similkameen River after a semi tractor crashed and leaked thouands of litres of diesel fuel into Saturday Creek this morning, April 4.
The spill occurred approximately eight kilometres east of East Gate, near Manning Park.
Ministry of Environment spokesperson David Karn says the diesel tanker lost around 20,000 litres of fuel, but it's unknown at this time how much got into the creek, which runs into the Similkameen River.
Highway 3 was closed, but is now open to single lane traffic, according to Drive B.C.
Tara Gostelow with the health authority is advising residents to be aware of potential fuel contamination downstream of the spill site. If the river water smells or tastes like fuel you are not to consume it or use it for irrigation or agricultural purposes.
Those who have private water sources such as wells that draw from the river are advised to keep a lookout for fuel contamination.
TGostelow says the authority will continue monitoring the situation to see if there are any risks to the health and safety of those who live in the area.
Ministry staff are present on site and have notified the Upper and Lower Similkameen bands along with Washington State.
The trucking company has retained RAM Environmental as an emergency contractor.
Image Credit: Drive B.C.
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