Discharges into Hope Slough
Last updated on December 11, 2024Disclaimer:
- 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 | September 23, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Name | DGIR: 243732, DGIR: 244759, and DGIR: 244904 |
| Source | Unknown |
| Nearest Community | Chilliwack, BC |
| Spilled Content | Unknown |
| Who is involved |
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV), Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR), Cheam First Nation, City of Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), Cheam Enterprises Inc. (CEI), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Fraser Health (FH), Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC) |
Response phase details
The responsible person or spiller is legally required to cleanup or manage the cleanup 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
December 11
On December 10th, a motor vehicle incident (MVI) on Yale Road impacted the Hope Slough. An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) attended the scene of the MVI. No sheen, odors or pollutants were observed and the EERO is working with the spiller to ensure a thorough assessment is made and actions are undertaken to mitigate impacts to fish habitat.
On the same day, Cheam First Nation reported a milky discharge in the Hope Slough near Gillanders Road. This is the same area as the November 28th incident. EEROs attended the site and collected water quality samples. Compliance Officers from Environment and Climate Change Canada (Federal) were on site again and continue to investigate.
Results from the water quality samples taken on December 3rd were received by the Ministry on December 9th and indicate that the water quality issues reported on November 28th are no longer present
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
December 3
On November 28th, there was a report of an unknown substance entering Hope Slough. The location is downstream from the initial incident reported on September 23nd.
Cheam First Nation have regular water quality monitoring of Hope Slough. Their environmental consultants observed significant water quality impacts. They have taken water samples and sent them to the lab for analysis.
Compliance Officers from Environment and Climate Change Canada (Federal) attended the site to investigate a potential source and impacts to fish.
On December 2nd, deceased coho were reported near the incident site.
An ENV EERO and Recovery Specialist are on-site today to assess impacts and try to locate source of discharge.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
October 18
The source of the spill in Hope Slough remains undetermined. Multiple factors may have contributed to the fish kill.
Preliminary findings suggest low oxygen levels in the water. This does not usually pose a direct risk to human health. The cause of these levels is still under investigation.
The Compliance and Environmental Enforcement Branch of ENV has been on-site several times. Environment and Climate Change Canada (Federal) is conducting their own investigation.
The local health authority has been involved since the initial response. No immediate health risks have been identified.
We are committed to providing updates to the public as new information becomes available.
October 3
Water quality conditions appear to be returning to typical levels.
No further observations of stressed or deceased fish have been reported.
The emergency response phase of this incident has concluded.
September 27
An ENV EERO attended site on Tuesday, September 24th.
Water quality data is being reviewed from before and after the incident to try and identify the cause of the fish kill.
ENV staff are developing a water sampling plan to inform next steps.
September 24
A report of deceased fish in the upper part of the Hope Slough came in on the evening of Monday, September 23rd.
An ENV Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) attended the site on September 24th.
The cause for the deceased fish is being determined.
Cheam First Nation retained an environmental response contractor to assess a sheen observed in the waterway.
The Fraser Health Authority and the City of Chilliwack identified no risk to drinking water in the area.