Propylene glycol leak discovered in Rankin Inlet’s district heating system
QEC says there’s no evidence that leaked substance reached the surface
QEC fuel tanks by the shore in Rankin Inlet. (Photo by Emma Tranter)
A propylene glycol leak has been discovered at Rankin Inlet’s district heating system, according to Qulliq Energy Corp.
The leak was discovered in the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 3, said a news release from QEC.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 litres of propylene glycol, mixed with 15,000 to 20,000 litres of water, may have leaked from the district heating system into the section of buried pipeline connected to the health centre.
The release goes on to say that the affected part of the district heating system was isolated and emptied.
In addition to this, QEC staff found no sign of the substance moving through the ground or reaching the surface.
Propylene glycol is used in QEC’s district heating system because of its ability to transfer large amounts of heat.
It is a clear, odourless, tasteless liquid that readily dissolves in water and is described in the news release as “relatively non-toxic to humans and wildlife.”
Propylene glycol is used in small amounts in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products and is routinely used as a de-icing fluid at most airports, to prevent ice from forming on critical surfaces before takeoff.
Because at this time of year the district housing system pipeline is frozen underground, making inspection difficult, the QEC has decided that the best option is to wait until spring, when staff will be able to make a full assessment, to identify any impact of the leak.
In the meantime, the news release says the QEC has reported the incident to authorities and continues to closely monitor the situation.
The corporation apologizes in the release for any inconvenience this may cause the community of Rankin Inlet.
“QEC staff has found no evidence that the substance moved through the ground“
Get real!!!
you have 40,000 liters of liquid that has gone out of the system and none has gone into the ground.!!
What a great expertise they have.
Thanks
The ground is frozen at the moment, so it moved on top of the ground until it, too, froze. Now is the time to pick it up, before it liquefies. Once the temperature rises there will be a hell of a mess.
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Anyone in Nunavut (except some GN employees) can press charges under the GN’s Environmental Rights Act.
https://www.nunavutlegislation.ca/en/consolidated-law/current?title=E
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Section 5. (1) “Any resident of Nunavut who, on reasonable grounds, believes that an offence
has been committed under an Act listed in the Schedule may lay an information in
writing and under oath before a justice.
(2) Where a resident who lays an information under subsection (1) conducts the prosecution on that information, the court may order that a portion of any monetary penalty imposed as a result of the prosecution be paid to the person conducting the
prosecution to reimburse that person for costs and expenses incurred by that person in the conduct of the prosecution.”
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Those other Acts are:
Environmental Protection Act
Forest Protection Act
Pesticides Act
Public Health Act
Territorial Parks Act
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
Wildlife Act
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There’s lots more good stuff in the Environmental Rights Act, such as access to information and the ability to require the GN to conduct an investigation & release the results.
Its not odorless or tasteless its smell is noticeable n tastes very sugary
And if ingested could go blind or die man or animal
And if left in ground will seep further when spring arrives before removal
Ive worked with this liquid for over 30 yrs
As a oil burner mechanic and owner of a plumbing and heating company in iqaluit
Cover up as big corps
Always do
If this was another company would be made clean up assp
but qec made the decision not to where’s environment
On this
This leak and subsequent coverup is nothing compared to the fuel leak that occurred just down the road at the Northern.