By James Peters

Semi crash dumps diesel in North Thompson River

Jan 17, 2017 | 3:17 PM

AVOLA, B.C. — Vavenby residents are being offered free bottled water in response to a fuel spill that has put the water quality of the North Thompson River into question.

TNRD Director of Environmental Services Jake Devlin says it comes after diesel was detected in the river yesterday.

“Just after 4:00 p.m. yesterday a trace amount of diesel smell was identified in the river down by the intake for the Vavenby community water system. The system was shut off, and we immediately made arrangements to have bottled water delivered,” said Devlin.

The TNRD is advising residents to only use water service for flushing toilets.

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Bottled water will be available at the Vavenby fire hall.

The diesel spill originated from a semi truck crash near Avola Monday evening.

The crash resulted in the truck’s fuel tank puncturing, and officials estimate the spill may be as large as 800 litres.

Interior Health has issued a water quality advisory for the river from the crash site all the way down to the confluence with the Clearwater River.

This is the second spill into a local waterway in the past five days.

Last Thursday, a CP train derailed southwest of Ashcroft, dumping metallurgical coal into the Thompson River.