Water quality in the Red Deer River is being assessed after a collision near the Content Bridge led to a diesel fuel being spilled into a creek that feeds into the river.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on June 09, 2016, Stettler RCMP and Stettler Regional Fire Department responded to the rollover of a semi-truck and trailer combination on Highway 21 approximately one mile south of Highway 11 near Content Bridge.
The investigation is on-going to the cause of the semi leaving the road on a curve as it was travelling north. The truck turned on its side in a small creek, along with the lead trailer. The second trailer became detached and over turned into the creek.
The driver of the semi-truck suffered minor injuries and was transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital by Stettler EMS.
The truck and trailer combination was carrying diesel fuel and an unknown quantity of fuel spilled into the creek. The creek eventually flows into the Red Deer River.
Notifications were made to Stettler Emergency Management Services, Alberta Transportation’s Dangerous Goods, Stettler Water Treatment Facility, Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Emergency Management and Alberta One Call.
First responders limited the flow of fuel from the trailers and the flow of water down the creek was curtailed by the use of booms and a berm was used to block off the creek. The remaining fuel in the tank was subsequently removed.
The Town of Stettler Water Treatment Plant has switched over to storage pond water, which has approximately a ten day supply to service its area. It is not anticipated regular water treatment will be affected for any longterm duration.
Overnight County of Stettler and Town of Stettler staff worked alongside first responders to build two berms intended to limit contamination from heading downstream. They also constructed a pad to assist vacuum trucks in reaching the tanker.
Crews working for the fuel company involved in the incident arrived and stabilized the scene and removed the product from both fuel tankers. Today they have three recovery units on site focusing on recovering the tankers from the site of the incident.
Waterway specialist are currently on site assisting with the clean-up. They have installed a series of booms in the creek between the site of the incident and the river. They will focus on skimming product off of the river and filtering hydrocarbons from the water.
The fuel company involved has contracted a team to overseas the entire recovery project. Their tasks will include taking soil samples from the site of the overturned unit and water samples from the creek and the Red Deer River. They will work closely with Alberta Environment during the containment and recovery process.
Today’s goals are to eliminate any further downstream contamination. Alberta Environment will be taking samples and expediting testing.