Update: October 30, 2024 – The City has been monitoring the spill area and surrounding waterways and no further sheens or deceased fish have been observed, nor have any further odours been encountered. The required End of Spill Report is being prepared and will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment.
Update: October 4, 2024 – The environmental officer on-site has indicated that the sheen was organic, likely caused by stagnant water and biomass. The appropriate agencies have been notified, samples were collected, and no results of concern have been communicated to date. The control gates have been re-opened and pumps turned on to mitigate the weather. The Ministry of Environment determines if there is a risk to public health, as it pertains to drinking water, and there was no indication of any impact. This incident will be assigned to the Pest Management Emergency Recovery Team and Compliance Group for follow up. A Qualified Environmental Professional has been engaged by the City.
Questions about this issue can be sent to info@pittmeadows.ca.
October 2, 2024 – The City of Pitt Meadows is working closely with Environment Canada to investigate a potential spill impacting the Sturgeon Slough near the Pitt Polder Pump Station.
The City is taking this incident very seriously and is working to determine the source, as well as whether it is organic or inorganic in nature, while taking steps to contain it. The pumps at Pitt Polder Station have been turned off and the Sturgeon Slough control gates have been closed to contain the possible spill and prevent migration to the Pitt River. Clean-up and mitigation work will start after the substance and source have been determined. The City is awaiting lab results from water testing. Further updates will be provided when there is more information to share.
The City is recommending that the public not use the waters within the Sturgeon Slough and the area around Pitt Polder Pump Station for recreational use until the issue has been rectified. It is not recommended to ingest any aquatic life (i.e. fish, plants, etc.) in the area and to keep pets away from the water for the time being.
Residents are asked to please stay away from the area while crews are working.
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