City of Peterborough says no further contamination in Little Lake after latest oil sheen cleanup – Peterborough
A surface water test at Little Lake last week came back negative for petroleum hydrocarbons after the latest reservoir cleanup operation earlier this month, according to the city of Peterborough, Ontario.
Gloss at the outlet of Jackson Creek, which flows into the lake, was first reported on March 16, prompting extensive cleanup and containment by city utilities, private contractors, and the Department of Conservation and Parks.
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The city says cleanup and monitoring efforts are continuing, but it has not found any further pollution flowing into the stream.
“Based on the Jackson Creek situation, it does not appear that additional fuel has been added to the Jackson Creek reservoir – the source of the pollution has stopped,” the city said Monday afternoon.
However, its source has not yet been identified. Last week, state officials said the gloss was “probably” historic pollution from the city’s transit yard on nearby Townsend Street.
The city notes that the area, which includes city property, has historical pollution.
“Based on the limited nature of the pollution, it doesn’t seem to be continuing. One possibility is that the oil sheen is left over or left over from pollution last summer and fall, and it’s been over the winter. was caught upstream in
The city faced a similar greasy sheen scenario in August 2022. After decontamination, the city conducted a geophysical survey of the property and discovered a “previously unidentified buried tank.”
The tank was removed as part of a precautionary measure, the city said. Last fall and winter, permeable reactive barriers were installed on city grounds to “trap and remediate potential contamination.”
The city and Peterborough Public Health said the city’s water supply is safe as it is drawn upstream and treated.
The health department also advises anyone downstream of Little Lake to report oil sheen or fuel odors.
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