A fire on a street sweeper last Wednesday led to about 27 litres of oil runoff heading toward the Virgil reservoir.
The incident happened after fire and emergency crews responded to a street sweeper that caught fire next to the NOTL Hydro offices, the town told The Lake Report.
“As a result of the extinguishment process, some runoff contaminated with oil entered a catch basin and subsequently flowed into the Virgil Reservoir,” said Marah Minor, communications co-ordinator for the town.
“The town’s environmental services team responded promptly and has managed the situation.”
The province is helping to monitor the situation, Minor said.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks confirmed an oily sheen was observed at the Lower Virgil Reservoir the day after the spill.
They estimated about 27 litres had spilled, but it is unclear how much seeped into the reservoir.
Minor said absorbent material was placed on the roadway to prevent oil from reaching the basin that leads to the reservoir. She said a “small quantity that entered the reservoir was removed” using absorbent pads.
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority said it is aware of the seepage and is working with the province, which it has notified.
“We have also filed a pollution report with accompanying photos,” said Erika Navarro, the authority’s communications and public relations supervisor.
She said the “the matter remains” with the environment ministry and that the conservation authority “will continue to work with them as more information becomes available.”
Navarro also said the ministry advised it will follow up with the town and “their local environmental officer.”
She said town staff will continue to monitor the site “to ensure everything remains in order.”
