Baker Lake diesel spill estimated to be between 600 and 1,000 litres
Suspected issue with valve contributed to incident; no danger detected to public or water supply, say officials
A fuel spill in Baker Lake is under investigation but poses no risk to the public, Government of Nunavut officials say. (File photo courtesy of Jake Hanna)
Territorial government officials are investigating after approximately between 600 and 1,000 litres of diesel fuel spilled in the Hamlet of Baker Lake.
The spill was reported on June 3, said Greg Belanger, spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, in an email.
It’s unclear what caused it, but it’s suspected a faulty valve may have contributed to the problem, Belanger said.
The spill occurred near the shore of Baker Lake, about 30 metres from the edge of the lake’s high-water mark. GPS co-ordinates on the territorial government’s spill database pinpoint the spill occurred near the hamlet’s fuel farm and Petroleum Products Division gas station.
“While a small amount of fuel made it to the edge of the lake, immediate containment measures were put in place preventing further spread,” Belanger said in the email.
“Current observations indicate that containment measures are secure and that no further fuel from the release will reach the lake.”
There is no risk to drinking water or to human health, Belanger said.
An environmental consultant is working with officials from the Departments of Health and Environment, and other regulatory agencies, to assess the spill and help with response.
I saw this while visiting Baker Lake and reported it. The shore connection should be fenced in and locked like it is in some other communities.