Hydrocarbon Spill Rolla
Last updated on April 5, 2023DISCLAIMER: Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management B.C. Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change as new information becomes available.
Incident Description
| Incident Date | May 6, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Name | DGIR: 220453 |
| Source | Unknown |
| Nearest Community | Rolla, BC |
| Spilled Content | Hydrocarbon |
| Who is involved? | B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Peace River Regional District, First Nations Health Authority, Blueberry River First Nation, Emergency Management B.C., Oakridge Environmental, |
Response Phase Detail
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 clean up, the Ministry of Environment & 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. See More Information for other related 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).
Most Recent Update
May 13, 2022 - 4:30 pm
Remediation work has been effective in reducing sheen and odour at the spill site. It is expected that some minor odour and/or rainbow sheen may persist for a few more days. Additional sampling to assess remediation efforts has taken place and will continue into next week.
While the source of the spill remains unknown, An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) from the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) continues to monitor the situation.
No further updates are expected at this time.
May 11, 2022 - 4:30 pm
Work continued onsite today with spilled hydrocarbon material safely contained. An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) from the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) remains onsite and continues to monitor the situation. The source of the hydrocarbon remains under investigation.
Water and soil sampling results have been received and analysed to guide remediation activities. A hydro-vac truck has been retained and arrived onsite today to remove contaminated water in the ditch and associated soils.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
May 10, 2022 - 12:00 pm
Work onsite continues with hydrocarbon odour and water levels in the ditch having decreased. The source of the spill remains unknown and is still under investigation. As such, containment measures remain in place. An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) from the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) is onsite and continues to update residents on the situation.
Sampling of the impacted and surrounding areas was conducted with results expected soon. While there is no immediate danger, Peace River Regional District (PRRD) at the request of the EERO, has issued an advisory asking residents to avoid the area.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
May 7, 2022 - 5:30 pm
On May 6th a sheen in a ditch and strong odour were reported in the community of Rolla approximately 22km northeast of Dawson Creek.
An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) from the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) has been onsite investigating the cause. Containment measures including absorbent pads, and an underflow dam were used, but the downstream contamination/odour has not yet dissipated.
Residents have expressed concerns to the EERO regarding fumes, drinking water and the health of livestock. Those living nearest to the spill site have been instructed to avoid the area and to shelter in place if the odor intensifies. Oakridge Environmental has been retained and is onsite assisting with spill response efforts.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.