窪蹋勛圖厙

Skip to content

Close to 100 litres of heating fuel spilled in Baker Lake

Cleanup underway at tank farm
50423-kiv-bakerfuelspillphoto
A diesel heating fuel spill of about 96 litres occurred on April 4 at the Baker Lake tank farm, according to the Government of Nunavut.

Residents of Baker Lake have been advised by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavuts 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  Arctic Fuel Services  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.

The PPD is providing additional oversight through the work of an environmental specialist being dispatched to the tank farm property, stated the news release. The fuel spill occurred downstream from the raw water intake for the Baker Lake water treatment plant.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 other (unspecified)  1,000 litres

Jan. 4 Lupin  petroleum  fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat)  1 litre

Jan. 5: Lupin: petroleum  lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic) 100 litres

Jan. 9: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  petroleum  unknown  200 litres

Jan 10 Meliadine mine  chemicals (including transformer oils)  200 litres

Jan. 11 Meliadine mine  chemicals (including transformer oils)  100 litres

Jan. 14: Arviat  petroleum  fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat) 100 litres

Jan. 17: Meliadine mine  petroleum  lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic) 200 litres

Jan. 17: Meliadine mine  petroleum  fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat)  150 litres

Jan. 18: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  other 1,400 litres

Jan. 21: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  sewage  80 litres

Jan. 24: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  petroleum - fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat)  munknown quantity

Jan. 28: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  sewage  10 litres

Feb. 16: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  petroleum - lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic)  200 litres

Feb. 18: Meliadine mine  petroleum unknown  1,135 kilograms

Feb. 21: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  other 5,000 litres

March 4: Meadowbank mine  wastewater/impacted water  unknown quantity

March 6: Meadowbank mine  petroleum  lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic)  300 litres

March 25: Rankin Inlet  petroleum  lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic)  7 litres

March 25: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  petroleum  lubricating oil (lube, hydraulic)  200 litres

March 29: Meadowbank mine/Whale Tail  Petroleum  fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat) 350 litres

March 30: Meliadine mine  wastewater/impacted water 150 cubic metres

March 30: Meliadine mine  sewage 50 litres

April 2: Meliadine mine  sewage 30 litres

April 4: Baker Lake  petroleum  fuel oil (jet A, diesel, turbo A, heat)  unknown quantity

April 10: Meliadine mine  sewage 38 litres

April 11: Meliadine mine sewage 38 litres

April 14: Meliadine mine  sewage 750 litres



About the Author: Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative

Read more