News Releases

Saskatoon Water would like to provide an update related to a fuel spill April 30 in the South Saskatchewan River far upstream at Medicine Hat, Alberta – not near Leader, Saskatchewan – as originally shared; the City regrets this error.

Saskatoon’s water supply is safe and is expected to remain safe. The following is a statement from the Office of the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas of Alberta.

Alberta’s government received notification that a locomotive was leaking diesel as it left the train yard in Medicine Hat, prompting a response from a local environment officer. Most of the spilled diesel spilled on the ground and a small amount went into the river. 
The health and safety of Albertans, communities and the environment are always our first priority in these situations. Environmental contractors for both land and water remediation were brought in, and a vac truck was used to clean-up the area shortly after the incident. A thorough inspection of the South Saskatchewan River was completed by boat and drone imagery near the release site and more than 30 kilometres downstream. The contractors reported no sheen or minimal sheen where the diesel entered the river, and no diesel was reported further downstream. Water samples were taken both upstream and downstream and have been submitted for testing. 
CPKC* is required to pay for all associated clean-up costs. 

*Canadian Pacific Kansas City rail

--30--

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

IDYLWYLD DR N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 41ST ST E TO CIRCLE DR E
(Catch basin replacements)
Start: May 6, 9:00 a.m. End: May 6, 1:00 p.m.

20TH ST E WB CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(Crane lift)
Start: May 6, 9:00 a.m. End: May 6, 3:00 p.m.

33RD ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO AVE B N
(Pedestrian crossing work)
Start: May 6, 9:00 a.m. End: May 7, 3:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AVE B N TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Pedestrian crossing work)
Start: May 6, 9:00 a.m. End: May 7, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N NB & SB VARIOUS LANES CLOSED WITH A MOBILE CLOSURE FROM 40TH ST E TO 51ST ST E
(Litter pick-up)
Start: May 5, 9:00 a.m. End: May 6, 3:00 p.m.

ACADIA DR ROAD CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO AVONDALE RD
(Water main maintenance)
Start: March 23, 7:00 a.m. End: June 1, 5:00 p.m

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED 
(Arch repairs and Link construction)
Start: April 6, 7:00 a.m. End: June 1, 2026

COLLEGE DRIVE ROAD CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO UNIVERSITY DR
(Link construction)
Start: April 6, 7:00 a.m. End: June 1, 2026

20TH ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(SL&P work)
Start: March 9, 9:00 a.m. End: June 5, 5:30 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E NB REDUCED LANE WIDTH AT 25TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: April 23, 10:00 a.m. End: August 6, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

8TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ACADIA DR TO MOSS AVE
(SaskPower)
Start: May 5, 9:00 a.m. End: May 5, 11:30 a.m.

22ND ST W EB CENTRE & MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT AVE E S
(Catch basin repair)
Start: May 5, 9:00 a.m. End: May 5, 12:00 p.m.

TAYLOR ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Pole base repair)
Start: May 5, 9:00 a.m. End: May 5, 2:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB & SB VARIOUS LANES CLOSED WITH A MOBILE CLOSURE FROM 40TH ST E TO 51ST ST E
(Litter pick-up)
Start: May 5, 9:00 a.m. End: May 6, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 108TH ST W TO HIGHWAY 5
(Construction)
Start: May 5, 10:00 a.m. End: May 5, 1:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ISABELLA ST W TO HILLIARD ST W
(W&WO)
Start: May 5, 11:00 a.m. End: May 5, 3:00 p.m.

22ND ST W WB MEDIAN & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM AVE O N TO AVE P N
(Storm main inspection)
Start: May 5, 12:00 p.m. End: May 5, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

ACADIA DR ROAD CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO AVONDALE RD
(Water main maintenance)
Start: March 23, 7:00 a.m. End: June 1, 5:00 p.m

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED 
(Arch repairs and Link construction)
Start: April 6, 7:00 a.m. End: June 1, 2026

COLLEGE DRIVE ROAD CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO UNIVERSITY DR
(Link construction)
Start: April 6, 7:00 a.m. End: June 1, 2026

20TH ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(SL&P work)
Start: March 9, 9:00 a.m. End: June 5, 5:30 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E NB REDUCED LANE WIDTH AT 25TH ST E
(Construction)
Start: April 23, 10:00 a.m. End: August 6, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Saskatoon Water is aware of a fuel spill in the South Saskatchewan River far upstream near Leader, Saskatchewan. Saskatoon’s water supply is safe and is expected to remain safe.

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and Water Security Agency have been managing the spill response and advised the City of Saskatoon when the spill occurred.

Diesel is a volatile substance and lighter than water and it is expected to dissipate long before any of the spilled fuel could reach Saskatoon. Even if any spilled fuel were to reach Saskatoon after lake Diefenbaker, the concentration would be far below any level of concern for public consumption. If that were to happen, an expected concentration would be one ten-millionth of a milligram per litre after Lake Diefenbaker – or one part per 10 million litres.

Further ensuring water safety, the City of Saskatoon Raw Water Intake does not gather water from the surface; it uses a mid-stream intake which helps avoid intake of floating substances such as diesel fuel.