Image Credit: Amenic181 / Dreamstime.com

By James Peters

Diesel Spill

Crash results in fuel spill into North Thompson River, concerns about resin cargo

May 30, 2019 | 4:12 PM

VAVENBY, B.C. — For the second time in six months, a crash into the North Thompson River near Vavenby has led to water quality concerns.

According to a news release from Interior Health, the crash involved a transport truck leaving the Yellowhead Highway earlier today (May 30), about 12 kilometres north of Vavenby near Mad Creek.

The crash resulted in diesel fuel from the truck’s tanks spilling into the river, and IH says it is also concerned that the truck’s cargo, resin and resin hardener, has also made its way into the North Thompson.

The resin is packaged individually, so IH says it’s unlikely there could have been a large release. As a result, IH says the health risk from the resin is low.

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IH says residents who draw their water from intakes located between the crash site and the confluence of the North Thompson and Clearwater Rivers should check their water for signs of diesel contamination, including a sheen or odour. If there are signs of contimaination, residents should not use the river water at all.

The Vavenby community water system has not been impacted, but IH notes that system was already subject to a boil water notice prior to today’s crash. That notice remains in place.

The Ministry of Environment is monitoring the spill site.

A crash and diesel spill in December, 2018 resulted in a ‘Do Not Use’ order for the Vavenby water system that was eventually lifted.

Another crash and diesel spill in January, 2017 also took the community’s water system offline.