Husky Energy Struggles To Contain Pipeline Oil Spill In Saskatchewan

Two cities downstream from the Husky Energy pipeline leak near Maidstone, Sask., have stopped drawing water from the river.

North Battleford has a backup supply of water to last for about three days as well as a ground treatment plant, Schafer explained.

Farms outside of Prince Albert that rely on city water have had supplies cut off.

Residents are asked not to use water for non-essential activities including watering their lawns, or washing their cars. Over 250,000 litres are estimated to have spilled.

Earlier provincial government officials said, because of high water levels, booms placed on the river at the end of last week failed to contain the spread of the spilled oil near Maidstone, at a site about 30 kilometres southeast of the Alberta border at Lloydminster.

So far, less than half of the oil has been cleaned up, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Lo Cheng.

Calgary-based Husky, which is controlled by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing, has apologized. “But as far as we are concerned, we just focus on getting on with the job, you know”.

“It’s up to proponents to ensure that they do the best job that they can and I believe that as we move forward with newer and new pipelines that that’s exactly what’s happening in the industry”, she said. “We accept full responsibility for the event and for the cleanup and we will make things right”.

The neighboring province of Alberta is considering pipeline options to bring crude oil from its tar sands to ocean ports, after a cross-border proposal that would have run through the U.S.to the Gulf of Mexico was shut down by the USA government.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is demanding representation at the command centre handling the spill.

The company shut down the line and put out the booms about 40 kilometers (25 miles) upstream from North Battleford, a city which has already shut its water intakes.

As soon as Prince Albert’s stored water is exhausted, it wishes to use rainfall gathered in a retention pond, buying itself four more days, Toye said.

Managers for the province’s public works department are working to lay an 18-mile temporary water pipeline to supply the city with water from another source, the South Saskatchewan River.

Prince Albert city council is holding a special meeting to discuss what Toye calls “drastic” water conservation measures that call for a fine of $1,000 if anyone is caught breaking the rules.

The city also ordered there to be no outdoor irrigation, except if using reclaimed water; no washing of sidewalks, driveways, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas; and restaurants have been told to serve water only if customers request it.