The city of North Battleford in Saskatchewan has been forced to stop pumping water from the North Saskatchewan River after oil from a burst pipeline reached the river on Friday 22 July 2016. The city is understood to have around three days of water reserves, after which it will be forced to fall back upon a groundwater treatment plant. The pipeline, which is operated by Husky Energy is understood to have burst on Thursday 21 July, releasing between 200 000 and 250 000 liters of a crude oil mixture (crude oil plus added lighter oils used to help the oil flow through the pipeline more easily), some of which entered the river.
Oil on the surface of the North Saskatchewan River on Friday 22 July 2016. CTV News Calgary.
The company initially attempted to control the spill by shutting down the pipeline and placing a boom across the river to trap the oil, about 40 km upstream of North Battleform. However high water levels enabled the oil to overtop the boom and spread further downstream. A second boom has now been emplaced lower on the river, and residents and businesses are being asked to restrict water use in North Battlefield. Concerns have also been raised that the spill may affect water supplies in Prince Albert, further down the North Saskatchewan.
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