Alberta Environment responds to diesel spill on North Saskatchewan River

EDMONTON — Alberta Environment and Edmonton Fire Rescue are investigating a diesel spill on the North Saskatchewan River.

Katrina Bluetchen with Alberta Environment says the spill happened near the Buena Vista dog park.

Fire officials say because of the icy conditions on the river, they are unable to set up a boom to contain the spill. City officials say spills are taken very seriously.

“We want to protect the environment, the fish in the river, everything,” said Ellen Tian, director of Drainage Operations with the City of Edmonton.

“Whenever it happens it’s a big issue for us. We do our investigation, we do our part and we work very closely with Alberta Environment and Environment Canada.”

Alberta Environment believes the contamination may have entered the river near the Quesnell Bridge.

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