Residents of Baker Lake have been advised by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut鈥檚 Petroleum Products Division (PPD) that a diesel heating fuel spill of about 96 litres occurred on April 4 at the Baker Lake tank farm.
The fuel spill occurred at the tank farm in front of the diesel dispenser building as a result of human error while filling a fuel delivery truck, stated a press release issued by Greg Belanger, manager of policy, legislation and communications with Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut.
The news release said the contractor responsible for the fuel spill 鈥 Arctic Fuel Services 鈥 is working under the direction of the regulator (Department of Environment) to contain the spill and remediate the area. The Government of Nunavut stated that it became aware of the fuel spill on April 9.
鈥The PPD is providing additional oversight through the work of an environmental specialist being dispatched to the tank farm property,鈥 stated the news release. 鈥淭he fuel spill occurred downstream from the raw water intake for the Baker Lake water treatment plant.
鈥While PPD does not typically oversee fuel spill response, in this case the incident occurred on tank farm property, so PPD dispatched an environmental specialist to provide on-site support.
鈥Immediately following the spill, the contractor collected the contaminated snow into two Quatrex bags, which were then transferred into three 45-gallon drums for secure containment and storage. The department will continue to monitor the site until regulatory agencies are satisfied with cleanup efforts.鈥
PPD stated that there is no evidence to suggest that any fuel got into the water.
It stated while hydrocarbon testing is a part of routine water sample testing, the GN has increased monitoring during remediation efforts.
鈥Water sample analysis of both raw and treated drinking water is completed by a qualified independent laboratory, with test results being provided directly to the drinking water regulator (Department of Health), which is actively monitoring and ensuring the safety of the community drinking water supply.
鈥The community is asked to continue following the current boil-water advisory put in place this on Feb. 26. Residents will be updated of any changes and will continue to be informed as more information becomes available.鈥
Listed below are the recorded spills in Kivalliq region so far this year, according to the Government of Nunavut's spill data base.
Jan. 3: Meliadine mine 鈥 other (unspecified) 鈥 1,000 litres
Jan. 4 鈥 Lupin 鈥 petroleum 鈥 fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat) 鈥 1 litre
Jan. 5: Lupin: petroleum 鈥 lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic) 鈥 100 litres
Jan. 9: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 petroleum 鈥 unknown 鈥 200 litres
Jan 10 鈥 Meliadine mine 鈥 chemicals (including transformer oils) 鈥 200 litres
Jan. 11 鈥 Meliadine mine 鈥 chemicals (including transformer oils) 鈥 100 litres
Jan. 14: Arviat 鈥 petroleum 鈥 fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat) 鈥 100 litres
Jan. 17: Meliadine mine 鈥 petroleum 鈥 lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic) 鈥 200 litres
Jan. 17: Meliadine mine 鈥 petroleum 鈥 fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat) 鈥 150 litres
Jan. 18: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 other 鈥 1,400 litres
Jan. 21: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 sewage 鈥 80 litres
Jan. 24: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 petroleum - fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat) 鈥 munknown quantity
Jan. 28: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 sewage 鈥 10 litres
Feb. 16: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 petroleum - lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic) 鈥 200 litres
Feb. 18: Meliadine mine 鈥 petroleum 鈥 unknown 鈥 1,135 kilograms
Feb. 21: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 other 鈥 5,000 litres
March 4: Meadowbank mine 鈥 wastewater/impacted water 鈥 unknown quantity
March 6: Meadowbank mine 鈥 petroleum 鈥 lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic) 鈥 300 litres
March 25: Rankin Inlet 鈥 petroleum 鈥 lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic) 鈥 7 litres
March 25: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 petroleum 鈥 lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic) 鈥 200 litres
March 29: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail 鈥 Petroleum 鈥 fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat) 鈥 350 litres
March 30: Meliadine mine 鈥 wastewater/impacted water 鈥 150 cubic metres
March 30: Meliadine mine 鈥 sewage 鈥 50 litres
April 2: Meliadine mine 鈥 sewage 鈥 30 litres
April 4: Baker Lake 鈥 petroleum 鈥 fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat) 鈥 unknown quantity
April 10: Meliadine mine 鈥 sewage 鈥 38 litres
April 11: Meliadine mine 鈥 sewage 鈥 38 litres
April 14: Meliadine mine 鈥 sewage 鈥 750 litres
