A 2.5-million-litre discharge of effluent from a fibreboard factory in Quesnel, B.C., poses "no immediate risk to public safety," according to the B.C. °µÍø½ûÇø Ministry. Logs are piled up at West Fraser Timber in Quesnel, B.C., Tuesday, April 21, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A 2.5-million-litre discharge of effluent from a fibreboard factory in Quesnel, B.C., poses "no immediate risk to public safety," according to the B.C. °µÍø½ûÇø Ministry. Logs are piled up at West Fraser Timber in Quesnel, B.C., Tuesday, April 21, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
JOHQUESNEL, B.C. - British Columbia's °µÍø½ûÇø Ministry says a 2.5-million-litre effluent spill from a fibreboard factory in Quesnel doesn't pose any immediate risk to public safety.
It says in a statement that Monday's spill from the WestPine Medium-Density Fibreboard plant into a gravel pit has been assessed and no waterways have been affected.
Factory owner West Fraser says in a statement that a valve on a failed line between the factory and a pulp mill has been replaced, and the cleanup effort is complete.
West Fraser spokeswoman Joyce Wagenaar says in the statement that the effluent is within B.C.'s water quality safety levels, based on an initial evaluation.
She says the effluent is "water softener backwash" that contains concentrations of calcium carbonate and chloride.
The ministry says an environmental emergency officer intends to visit the site this week to confirm West Fraser is taking appropriate action.
"Northern Health, and the First Nations Health Authority have been notified, and thus far, they have not raised any concerns regarding public health impacts, particularly related to drinking water," the ministry statement said.
"Currently, the ministry does not perceive an imminent or acute risk to the environment."
This report by °µÍø½ûÇø was first published April 18, 2024.
°µÍø½ûÇø. All rights reserved.
A new poll suggests most Canadians think the country is making good progress on re…
Surprising Toronto Blue Jays will likely be buyers ahead of Thursday's trade deadl…
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
