Water tests done after a pipeline spill in Saskatchewan have found oil levels too high for Canadian drinking water guidelines in five samples within 20 kilometres of the spill site.
A Husky Energy (TSX:HSE) pipeline spilled up to 250,000 litres of oil mixed with a lighter hydrocarbon called a diluent into the North Saskatchewan River near Maidstone almost two weeks ago.
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However, the water quality report also says no additional high levels have been detected in any samples at any location since July 24, including the water intakes at North Battleford and Prince Albert.
The two cities had to shut down their drinking water intakes from the river after the spill, and have been using reserves and bilding temporary pipelines to get alternate water.
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The results are complete for more than 900 of over 1,000 water samples taken by engineers, environmental specialists and public health specialists at over 60 locations along the river.
The report says water sampling is ongoing and recommendations about the risk of oil affecting water intakes will be forthcoming as a formal water intake risk assessment is completed.
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