New sheen reported on Bear River

The City of Grande Prairie is once again investigating a “suspected release” into the Bear River after a “visible sheen” was reported Sept. 6.

“Transportation staff have installed sorbent boom sets at several locations to help contain and capture the released product, including at Outfall 3 near the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital site, near Rotary Campground, upstream of the reservoir spillway and near the Grande Prairie Museum & Heritage Village,” the city said in its notification to residents.

The booms are floating barriers designed to repel water and to trap and contain petroleum-based spills on both water and land.

“The source and substance have not yet been confirmed. Residents are asked to avoid the affected areas and give crews space to work safely while the response and investigation continue,” the city went on to say, adding that Transportation and Enforcement Services staff are also upstream working through the drainage catchment to identify the source of the substance.

It’s the second similar incident this summer, just a month after the city announced it was wrapping up remediation efforts on a reported release from July 24 when a resident noticed what they thought was a diesel sheen on the water.

The city later reported that substance was analyzed and found to be weathered diesel or hydraulic oil.

Much of the city’s stormwater flows untreated from the streets into storm ponds and local waterways, picking up any pollutants along the way and delivering them into the Bear River.

The city’s Drainage Bylaw prohibits fuels, oils, chemicals and other harmful substances from entering the stormwater system.

These substances can be dropped at the Aquatera Eco Centre, located at 10431 96 Ave. Hazardous waste should not be taken to the main landfill, as it cannot be accepted there due to provincial regulations.

Also known as Bear Creek, the river originates at Bear Lake, northwest of Grande Prairie and winds its way south through Muskoseepi Park and the rest of the city, then east, eventually draining into the Wapiti River, southeast of the city.

Residents are advised to report potential spills and other environmental concerns by calling 311 during business hours, emailing info@cityofgp.com or submitting a request through AccessGP.

Concerns that present an immediate risk to the public or an emergency response should be reported to 911.