FERGUS – An oil spill was discovered last week on the Grand River near the area of St. Andrew Street East and Gartshore Street.
The spill was reported by a concerned member of the public on July 9.
The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP) investigated the location on July 10 and the next day confirmed the presence of approximately 25 to 30 litres of synthetic oil.
“The ministry inspected upstream and downstream locations and did not observe a sheen in either location,” said MOECP spokesperson Lindsay Davidson.
“No ongoing impacts to the natural environment or human health were observed.”
The ministry confirmed the oil came from a power generating turbine located on a site that used to be an old mill.
“The turbine owner confirmed the source of the sheen to be synthetic oil from a turbine on the property that mixed with water in a pit within the building the turbine is housed in,” said Davidson.
According to her, ministry staff will be following up with the property owner to ensure appropriate action is taken to clean up the spill.
Davidson told the Advertiser that due to “a very minor sheen and its rapid dissipation” the ministry does not anticipate any impacts to the Grand River.
