North Battleford preparing for possibility of oil slick

The city of North Battleford is taking precautions in the event an oil spill in the North Saskatchewan River reaches the city.

Between 200 and 250 cubic metres (200,000 to 250,000 litres) of heavy oil blended with diluent escaped from a Husky Energy pipeline east of Lloydminster near the Highway 21 bridge this morning, Thursday July 21.

A Husky spokesman said Thursday night crews were continuing to use berms to contain the spill at the site and downstream. The company was also using air and shoreline surveillance, and monitoring water quality.

The city said in a news release crews were filling city reservoirs and the water tower, in case it has to shut down the F.E. Holliday Water Treatment Plant on the river. If necessary, the city can be served entirely using ground water treated by Water Treatment Plant One. In that case, people would be asked to conserve water, however it may not be necessary to take those steps.