(Tuesday May 2, 11:30 p.m.) Saskatoon - Saskatoon Health Region is working with a number of agencies, including Saskatchewan Environment, the University of Saskatchewan, and Envirotec Services Incorporated, in efforts to clean up a discharge of engine lubricating oil and glycol coolant that entered the South Saskatchewan River from a storm sewer line near Royal University Hospital.
Officials at the scene consider the discharge, of no more than 50 litres, to be neither a risk to public safety and health nor a significant threat to the environment.
A containing boom at the base of the storm sewer line was being erected late this evening. An "absorbing blanket" will be placed over the discharge bloom Wednesday morning and it is expected to be removed from the river later in the day. The bloom along the east bank of the river was about 1 to 2 metres wide and 300 metres long at around 8 p.m., with its size and location remaining unchanged because of strong winds and on-shore wave action.
The source of the oil/coolant discharge is believed to be from a building housing emergency back-up generators at Royal University Hospital. A malfunction in one of three emergency back-up generators on Monday caused the oil/coolant to escape from the machine into a floor drain that enters into the storm sewer line.
Ongoing monitoring, investigation and clean up will continue on Wednesday.
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For more information contact:
Daryl Oshanek
Corporate and Public Affairs
306-655-331
Saskatoon Health Region
"Healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service."
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