Diesel Spill Jaffray

Disclaimer:

• Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR)
• Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change

Incident description

Incident Date	February 11, 2023
Name	DGIR: 230578
Source	Fuel truck
Nearest Community	Jaffray, B.C.
Spilled Content	Diesel
Who is involved	Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV), Regional District of East Kootenay, Interior Health Authority, Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

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Response phase details

The responsible person or spiller is legally required to clean-up or manage the clean-up of a spill.

In incidents where the responsible person is unknown, unable or unwilling to manage the cleanup, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) may assume the role. 

The updates below reflect the ministry’s oversight of the spillers’ actions. Details describe the spill response phase only and not the complete lifecycle of the spill. Visit the 'More information' page for other reports. 

Updates are in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top.

Industry-specific language may be explained in the Glossary of Terms (PDF, 106KB).

Most recent updates

March 8, 2023 - 5:00 pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing.

The full soil sample results were received March 6^th and included more soil samples than the partial results. Hydrocarbon-related concentrations were present in some samples but were below the referenced standards for contaminated sites.

Soil samples were collected from the recovery trench on March 7^th. Results are pending.

The residential drinking water sample results received March 4^th were shared with homeowners.

A water treatment system was moved on site on March 6^th. Water treated by the system is being stored securely onsite for testing. The environmental consultant is working with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) to determine if release of this treated water back into the water system at Jaffray meets environmental protection standards.

An environmental consultant will be onsite March 9^th and March 10^th to collect samples from the treatment system and from the installed monitoring wells.

An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) from the B.C. ENV continues to monitor the situation.

Further updates will be made once more information becomes available.

March 5, 2023 - 2:00pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing. The final monitoring well was installed. Set up of a water treatment system on the site is ongoing.

March 4, 2023 - 2:00pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing. Results for water samples collected February 28, 2023 and March 2, 2023 from the trench were received.

The results from February 28 were within freshwater and drinking water standards. Some results from March 2 were above freshwater and drinking water standards. This is expected to be the result of warmer weather and increased surface water infiltration.

Soil samples were collected from 2 installed monitoring wells for analysis. Partial results of the previous soil sampling were received. Hydrocarbon-related substances were below the laboratory detection limits.

The full results are expected March 6, 2023. The results from the residential drinking water samples were received. Hydrocarbon-related substances were below the laboratory detection limits.

March 2, 2023 - 2:00pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing.

A water sample was collected for analysis. Continued monitoring well installation and bore hole drilling program.

Residential drinking water samples were collected from 4 residences.

March 1, 2023 - 2:00pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing.

Continued monitoring well installation and bore hole drilling program. Soil sample results are expected March 4, 2023.

February 28, 2023 - 10:00am

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing. Collection of impacted snow and ice around the tank farm continued. The monitoring well installation and bore hole drilling program was initiated.

Soil samples were taken to support the delineation of hydrocarbon impacts. Results are pending.

The installation is planned to be completed by March 1, 2023. Groundwater samples of the aquifer will be collected after installation.

February 27, 2023 - 10:00am

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing.

Collection of impacted snow and ice around the tank farm continued.

Collection and transportation of excavated, contaminated soil to the Secure Energy Landfill in Pincher Creek, AB.

February 26, 2023 - 10:00am

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing.

Collection of impacted snow and ice around the tank farm continued. An assessment of underground utilities was completed in preparation for the installation of monitoring wells on February 28.

The Remediation Plan will be prepared after the receipt of the results collected from the monitoring well installation and subcontractor responses for quotes. Additional preliminary drinking water samples will be collected from nearby residences.

February 25, 2023 - 10:00am

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing. The recovery trench was extended to the location of the south where diesel contaminants were observed on February 22.

Collection of impacted snow and ice around the tank farm continued. Transport of contaminated soil off site for disposal to the Secure Energy landfill in Pincher Creek, AB continued.

Additional residential well sampling locations have been added to the Potable Water Sampling Plan. All residents participating in the program will be notified by the environmental consultant on site of the sampling results specific to their residence.

February 23 and 24, 2023 - 10:00am

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench was not possible due to the extreme cold.

Snow and ice impacted, or potentially impacted, from around the tank farm was collected.

Collected contaminated soil transported off site for disposal to the Secure Energy landfill in Pincher Creek, AB.

February 22, 2023 - 3:00pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing.

A pit to the east and south of the recovery trench were dug to check for diesel contaminants. Diesel contaminants were observed in the south pit. The recovery trench will be extended to the south to increase diesel contaminant recovery.

Preliminary drinking water sample results collected February 18, 2023 showed no current health concerns at this time as per B.C.’s drinking water quality standards. Additional preliminary drinking water samples will be collected from nearby residences.

February 21, 2023 - 3:00pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench is ongoing.

Snow and water that accumulated around the spill site as a result of weather was collected and removed. No drinking water samples were collected today from nearby residences. The findings of the geotechnical assessment were reviewed.

At this time, no further soil removal north of the recovery trench and south of the fuel storage tanks is recommended due to the soil’s stability.

Additional options are being explored in the development of a Remediation Plan.

The Remediation Plan is expected to be completed in early March.

February 20, 2023 - 4:30pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench and around the overflowed tank is ongoing.

A drilling program is in development to install groundwater monitoring wells on site February 28, 2023.

A geotechnical assessment report on the soil’s stability for removal is expected February 22, 2023.

An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) from the ministry continues to monitor the situation.

Further updates will be made once more information becomes available.

February 19, 2023 - 4:30pm

The supplementary trench was completed and collection of diesel and water seepage continued.

The clean and contaminated soil removed from this trench were stored in separate and protected piles on site.

No drinking water samples were collected from nearby residences.

February 18, 2023 - 4:30pm

Continuation of diesel and water seepage collection from the recovery trench and around the overflowed tank.

A second trench will be constructed perpendicular and to the south of the current trench to increase diesel and water seepage collection.

The preliminary drinking water sample results collected February 17, 2023 showed no current health concerns at this time as per B.C.’s drinking water quality standards. Additional preliminary drinking water samples were collected from another nearby residence.

The sample results are expected February 23, 2023.

February 17, 2023 - 4:30pm

Collection of diesel and water seepage from the recovery trench and around the overflowed tank is ongoing.

A geotechnical assessment was completed on the soil’s stability for removal and a report will be submitted.

Preliminary drinking water sampling was started by an environmental consultant and samples were collected from the gas station and the nearest residences. The sample results are expected on February 18, 2023.

Preliminary drinking water samples are planned to be taken at additional residences.

February 16, 2023 - 4:00pm

A recovery trench has been dug to collect seepage of diesel and water in the soil at the spill site.

A vacuum truck is on standby to remove collected material from the trench. The trench will be monitored and expanded, if necessary, over the next few days. The soil impacted by the spilled diesel will be removed after no more diesel can be collected from seepage into the trench.

Plans to remove this contaminated soil are being developed. A fence has been installed around the trench for the safety of the public.

Contaminated snow and soil from the site are stored in piles with berms and tarping to prevent migration of any contaminants into the soil or nearby environment. A drinking water sampling plan is in development for ground and tap water testing in select homes. Any identified homes will be notified.

While there's no threat to air quality, contracted staff are equipped with personal air monitoring devices and will report any issues should they arise.

February 14, 2023 - 4:30pm

On February 11, 2023 at approximately 10:00am, a fuel truck delivering diesel to a gas station in Jaffray, B.C. overflowed one of the station’s tanks.

This resulted in an estimated 12,000 litres of spilled material. Interior Health Authority was notified and is ready to respond to health-related questions or concerns from the public. Fire department and hazmat officials have confirmed that all the spilled diesel was contained on site and did not enter any waterways.

A private contractor arrived on site that afternoon and removed the spilled product. An environmental consultant working with the contractor visited the site on February 12, 2023 to assess the area and collected preliminary soil samples from 9 locations around the spill site.

Two of the 9 sample locations showed some diesel contamination.