Residents around Kamloops Lake have been invited to a public meeting after more than a week of cleanup on the site where a derailed train spilled tens of thousands of gallons of jet fuel.
The public information meeting will be held Monday evening in Savona — eight days after the Environmental Emergency Branch (EEB) says it was informed of a Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) train derailment close to Cherry Creek around 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Among the approximately 17 derailed train cars were two containing aviation fuel. On Saturday, CPKC reported a final calculation that 70,536 litres of Jet A1 fuel was “released to the environment” — lower than initial estimates.
In an update Sunday night, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness said the cleanup, led by CPKC, continues.
“Containment booms remain in the water along the shore at the incident site.”
The latest work has reportedly included removing rail cars, shoreline assessment, and water sample testing.
So far, the rail company says all sampling results remain below BC Source Drinking Water Guidelines, including from samples taken Friday and Saturday.
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In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio, the Interior Health Authority says testing is ongoing.
“Given the nature of fuel in a large body of water Interior Health and partner agencies are working with CPKC to inform a comprehensive and thorough water sampling strategy to monitor the potential risks associated with this incident,” it stated.
On Thursday, the health authority advised residents of Frederick, a small community on the lake’s north shore, to use alternate water sources for all purposes.
“This recommendation is also made proactively to protect private water users in the area, as small amounts of fuel drawn into a water intake may cause long-term damage to a water system. Interior Health will update Frederick area residents when it is safe to use water from the lake again,” said Interior Health on Friday.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District says Monday’s meeting will include representatives from CPKC, the ministry, and the health authority.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Savona Community Hall. It will also be recorded and shared afterward on the district’s YouTube page.
—With files from Emma Crawford