PUSLINCH – Cleanup efforts continue in the wake of a fuel spill here earlier this year.
On Jan. 13, at around 1:40am Puslinch Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the 401 east bound lanes at Highway 6 north for a motor vehicle accident involving a fuel tanker and a second vehicle.
The tanker carrying the fuel rolled on its side and a spill occurred.
As lead agency, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks provided the following update which was posted on the Puslinch Township website:
“On March 1, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation And Parks reported hydrocarbon-impacted water is present in Aberfoyle Creek and Mill Creek between the spill site at Highway 401 and north of Concession 2.
“Areas of sheen are being observed between Concession 2 and Wellington Road 35, and at the Concession 1 and Gore Road crossings.
“Due to intermittent thaws and precipitation events, areas of hydrocarbon and sheen previously encapsulated by ice and snow are becoming visible and are being cleaned up.
“Slight hydrocarbon odour is being observed at various locations between Concession 2 and the Shades Mill dam outlet.
“The consultant continues to maintain booms to collect any hydrocarbon and sheen present at key locations up to the Grand River; conduct daily shoreline assessments of Aberfoyle Creek, Mill Creek, and Shades Mill; collect surface water samples upstream and downstream of the spill site at key locations up to the Grand River; and operates water treatment units to recover any sheen and impacted surface water at the spill site and at the Concession 2 road crossing.
“No impacted fish or wildlife associated with the release were observed or reported during this time period.”
