Interior Health removes restrictions for Slocan River users south of Winlaw Bridge
By Nelson Daily Staff
Slocan River users south of the Winlaw bridge can breathe a sigh of relief after Interior Health lifted restrictions Thursday due to the July 26 Lemon Creek jet fuel tanker spill.
“All “Do Not Use” water restrictions on the Slocan River south of the Winlaw Bridge and nearby containment booms have been removed,” Tracy Watson, IH Communications Officer said in a written statement.
“This means that water drawn from this area may be consumed, and that it is now safe for recreational purposes from a health perspective.”
The Slocan River, south of Lemon Creek, has been off limits to all users — recreation and homeowner — after a truck belonging to Executive Flight Centre crashed into Lemon Creek.
The driver had taken the wrong road en route to delivering fuel to helicopters fighting the Perry Ridge Fire 4.5 kilometres west of Winlaw.
The accident dumped approximately 35,000 litres of jet fuel into Lemon Creek.
The fuel quickly flowed from Lemon Creek into the Slocan River before ending up in Kootenay River.
More than 3000 people were evacuated from their homes due to the danger of the fuel spill.
Highway 6 through the Slocan Valley was closed.
Once the initial danger was over, residents were allowed to return to their homes but IH Medical Health Officer Dr. Trevor Corneil issued the “Do Not Use” water restriction order.
Earlier this week the restriction was lifted for the Kootenay River. Thursday, IH received tests that confirm Winlaw south was okay for use.
Containment booms near the Brilliant Dam and near Shoreacres Beach on the Slocan River were also removed.
“All of the water sample data provided by the Ministry of Environment and agencies contracted by Executive Flight Centre meet the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water,” the IH statement reads.
“As well, visual assessments of the containment booms and shorelines have not detected levels of fuel that pose health concerns.
“Interior Health has been advised that all cleanup activities for this section of the Slocan River have been completed.”
IH advises residents using the Slocan for drinking water to thoroughly flush their drinking water and irrigation water systems as there will be stagnant water in the lines. Domestic Water System Flushing Procedures are now available on the Interior Health website (www.interiorhealth.ca).
Should odours persist after flushing, residents should contact IH Health Protection at 250-420-2220.
The news, however, is not all good.
IH has continued restrictions on Slocan River users north of the Winlaw Bridge and Lemon Creek.
“In the majority of cases, well water is not affected by this order,” the statement said.
“However, shallow wells close to the creek or rivers, particularly those in gravel/sandy soils, may be impacted. Residents should not use well water if there is a fuel smell in the well or at any tap.”
IH said professionals with knowledge about contaminated sites, biology and hydrogeology, contracted by Executive Flight Centre, continue to test affected water to determine when the remaining Do Not Use order can be lifted.
Anyone with specific health questions or concerns should contact their family physician. Residents with questions or concerns regarding drinking water and food safety should contact IH Health Protection at 250-420-2220 for more information.
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