KAWARTHA LAKES-Two long-time residents of Thurstonia are apologizing to residents after oil accidentally leaked from their property and seeped into Sturgeon Lake on March 30th.
Todd and Nicole and their kids have lived in the area for more than 30 years and say they love their community.
“We just want to apologize to the community,” the couple told Kawartha 411 News. “This was accidental and out of our control but we understand the concern and frustration of our friends and neighbours. We are working with experts to ensure the situation is dealt with quickly and professionally. We want to thank those who went above and beyond to help contain the situation with a special thanks to John and Nick from Liquid Soil Solutions and Engage Hydrovac Services. They went over and above in every aspect and helped when they didn’t have to and without benefit to them. We would highly recommend them in a situation like this. We love our community and hope that people understand our situation and how devastating this is to us and the community.”
On March 30 at approximately 10:30 pm fuel odours from a culvert were reported to Kawartha Lakes Fire Services. A fuel spill was discovered and Fire Services immediately installed an absorbent boom in an attempt to contain the spill. The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) was notified, and an inspector attended the spill the following day. Kawartha Lakes’ Public Works department retained an environmental consultant and cleanup contractor.
Officials say the spill was contained using marine booms that were sectioned off with absorbable booms extending to the shore from each dock. In between sections, imbiber beads are being used to absorb any sheen or films.
During their investigation, the City’s consultant for emergency spills, GHD, determined that the substance spilled was approximately 100 litres of weathered diesel fuel.
The spill at the lake has been contained and remediation efforts continue at the source.
