Monday, August 19, 2019

Another Pipeline rupture sends 40,000 litres of oil into Alberta creek effecting Edmonton's drinking water



The Canadian Press is reporting that "The Alberta Energy Regulator says a pipeline has spilled 40,000 litres of crude oil into a creek. The regulator says on its website that the incident happened Thursday on a Bonterra Energy Corp. line 14 kilometres south of Drayton Valley, Alta. It says the line was shut in and depressurized, and that containment booms were installed. The AER says no impacts to wildlife were reported." Yeah right. Dead fish tell no tales.

40,000 litres of oil in a creek that runs into the Saskatchewan river. Drink up folks It's good for you. Global is reporting that "Four days after the Alberta Energy Regulator was told 40,000 litres of oil emulsion leaked from a pipeline into a creek that feeds into the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton’s primary utility provider says the city’s drinking water is perfectly safe.” Not.



The North Saskatchewan river is Edmonton's sole source of drinking water. "Regulator records show this isn’t the first time the company has had problems in the area." Clean up is expected to take three weeks but Edmonton drinking water is safe. Rollyeyes.

CBC is reporting that "For the second time in less than a month there was a pipeline spill in the province, which serves as the centre of the country’s oil industry. Last month it was 100,000 litres. Now, the Alberta Energy Regulator said on the weekend, a pipeline spilled 40,000 litres of crude into a creek near Drayton Valley last Thursday. The regulator says the incident happened on a Bonterra Energy Corp. line that has left oil seeping into Washout Creek. The creek flows into the North Saskatchewan River, which is the source of city of Edmonton’s water supply. Bonterra says it is taking the necessary steps to limit the damage."

The Calgary Herald reported that "Alberta’s energy watchdog has set a target to cut the number of pipeline spills that affect wildlife and water systems through added enforcement and more frequent inspections on poorly performing companies. The Alberta Energy Regulator also released an online database that outlines the record of every oil and gas company regarding pipeline spills and other incidents over the past two years. It believes that by holding companies publicly accountable for their performance, there will be fewer spills."

9 comments:

  1. 40K litres of crude oil is a lot of oil and in one creek, that spells environmental disaster for the area.

    The news reports it took from 8 a.m. to 1 p.n. to figure out where the spill was. that is much too long. surely they can install equipment which will pin point where leaks are and have a faster response.

    The news also reports this creek runs in to the Sask. river which is a major source of water for Edmonton.

    If oil companies and Kenny really want people to be more accepting of the oil and gas industry, they are going to have to be more responsive to oil "leaks" as this is being referred to in the CTV news.

    They report it will take 3 weeks to clean up. during this time, how much will seep into the ground, how many animals will it impact, how much will get into the drinking water and what impact will the spill clean up chemicals have on people, the animals, the water, the soil, etc.

    The Kenny, the oil companies just don't get it.

    thanks for the heads up on this. hadn't seen it on the msm.

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  2. Ah, so you have "fake news" (or at least selective reporting) up there too, huh? LOL....

    Agreed, this is absolute BS, 3 weeks my ass, if I lived anywhere downstream from here it would be bulk water for cooking and drinking from now on. They cannot be relied on to tell you the truth. Ever. They DGAF about you.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah I don't think boiling the water will get the oil out.

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    2. Never said a thing about boiling anything. I'm taking 5 gal water jugs you buy at the store for drinking water or for cooking. According to a brief search reverse osmosis purification will work also but the really good units (like anything gear/equipment really, right?) aren't cheap and I would imagine that water contaminated with oil might require more frequent cleaning of the filter unit than otherwise.

      Still sucks. Oil in the water. WTF. :scowl:

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    3. Ah right, you said buy bulk water. I thought you said boil it.

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  3. I sure wish that here in the us, they had a sane party in the middle I could vote for.
    GOP supports this as long as they donate-Half A Billion Bees Drop Dead In Brazil Amid Jump In Pesticide Use
    Democrats support releasing illegal rapists and murderers so they’ve not separated from their family’s to get more voters

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  4. the cost of 5 gallon jugs of water can add up here. the reverse osmosis system aren't cheap, but then neither are cars and t.v. and the later will not improve your health, but the reverse osmosis system may.

    If you are building a home or renovating I believe its worth putting in the system, especially if you plan on staying in the home. You can also go to a rain water capture system. Some summer vacation homes use them in Australia and drier spots in the U.S.A. and Canada. saves on drilling a well.

    We can all live without oil, not well, but we can, but no one is going to live much longer than 3 days without water.

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    Replies
    1. It's not a matter of living without oil. It' a matter of not being so greedy and freaking irresponsible when it comes to pipeline maintenance.

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  5. agree, however, if these companies continue to be so irresponsible when it comes to pipeline maintenance some will be without tap water.

    As various companies, in various areas of the world, in various types of industry keep polluting water, we and other life forms. will have difficulty obtaining clean water.

    Last evening there was a documentary about the amount of plastic found in the oceans. It was amazing to see how small some of the pieces were, how animals ingest it and how we ingest the animals.

    I am not familiar with fines for such "leaks" into creeks, in Alberta, but taking a guess, it would be less than the good maintenance on pipelines. Perhaps fines for ruining the environment is simply the cost of doing business for some corporations. That is then something which needs to change. Perhaps if we dispensed with fines and sentences C.E.O.s to jail, for a year, they might reconsider their maintenance programs.

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