Husky pipeline spills oil into river

Husky Energy pipeline spill Chris Epp gathers reaction to oil spill near North Battleford, Saskatchewan

A cleanup is underway after oil from a Husky pipeline leaked into the North Saskatchewan River.

Close to 250,000 litres of oil leaked into the river around 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning near Maidstone, about 56 kilometres east of Lloydminster.

After the spill was reported, the pipeline, which transports blended heavy oil and diluent, was shut down.

Husky has sent an emergency response team to the scene of the spill and berms are being used to contain the oil. An environmental protection officer is also on site and Climate Change Canada has been notified.

The city of North Battleford is downstream and officials there say they have shut down the water intake plant in light of the spill.

"This morning they saw the sheen downstream from us," said Stewart Schafer, the city's director of operations, "Husky reported to water security that they ... saw a sheen and so everything gets shut right down.

The city says it has a backup supply of water in its reservoirs and water tower and it also has a ground-water treatment plant.

"We have about three days and then we have to start up the other plant. By that time we are hoping that whatever contaminants hit the river are flushed down," said Schafer.

Greenpeace Canada was quick to react to the spill. A representative released a statement saying, “This latest spill, this time into a major river body, is another reminder of why pipelines aren't safe. While we are still learning the details of this latest spill what is abundantly clear is pipelines will and do leak, the question is just how big the impact will be."