LEAK ENTERS STORM DRAIN
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For Release: October 4, 2014 |
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At approximately 12:35 Saskatoon Fire Department responded to an unknown substance leaking from a Tractor trailer. Engine 4 was the first apparatus on scene and found a 3,000 litre tank that had been damaged and leaked into a parking lot at the south east corner of Avenue C and Cynthia Street.
The product was identified as an asphalt emulsion. This substance is not a serious health risk to people and the main concern was to minimize damage to the environment.
Engine 7 provided more absorbent and diking materials to minimize the spread of the product. It is estimated that diking prevented 500 litres from entering the storm basin. The Ministry of Environment, Saskatoon Police Service, Envirotec Services and the City of Saskatoon all responded to mitigate the spill in a timely fashion.
Within two and a half hours the storm drain line was identified and isolated to prevent further damage. No contaminant had reached the South Saskatchewan River. The Ministry of Environment remains in command of the incident as the cleanup process is underway.
No injuries occurred at this incident and no cost for the cleanup is available.