Water Security Agency: samples from North Saskatchewan River meet guidelines

There are some fresh answers this week regarding the impact of the Husky Oil spill.

The Water Security Agency (WSA) has released the first results of its ongoing water quality testing on the North Saskatchewan River and Saskatchewan River systems. The results show no exceedances of the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines or the provincial drinking water standards.

However, exceedances were found relative to the Canadian Protection of Aquatic Life Guidelines. One sample had an exceedance of the toluene hydrocarbon, and one sample had an exceedance of the pyrene chemical.

Despite the test results, no decisions have been made yet on when the water intakes for Prince Albert and North Battleford will re-open.

A water safety assessment will now be done to further evaluate water quality. Specifically, the WSA has requested further data from Husky and other agencies involved specific to drinking water quality.

The WSA said the main question which must be answered is where the remaining oil, which has not evaporated, degraded or already been captured, is along the river.

They also want to know what short-term and long-term monitoring programs will be required.

Check back for updates on this story.