Information on Industrial Fuel Spill

The Fuel Response Working Group is committed to providing important information to the community of Kahnawà:ke on the fuel seepage issue. Background information on the testing, mitigation work and ongoing response efforts will be regularly updated as developments occur.

What We Know

Fuel Seepage Incident 1

On February 9th, 2024, a report of diesel odor in the Zachary Rd area was reported to the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office.
After an inspection of the site, it was confirmed that there was fuel collecting in a ditch alongside Zachary Rd which was draining into a nearby creek.
Immediate mitigation measures were initiatied; the installation of absorbant booms and removal (by pump) by an external contractor.
Additional investigating showed that the fuel that seeped into the creek also reached the Suzanne River. Additional absorbant booms were installed to prevent more fuel from reaching the river.
Contact was made with Environment Quebec and Environment Canada to assist with mitigation and expertise.
Over the February 9th weekend, continued fuel removal and investigating were carried out. The installation of a containment dam was carried out on Sunday, February 11th.
At the time, only one residence exhibited signs of heightened levels of air contaminants in the area.

Fuel Seepage Incident 2

Upon further monitoring, of the Suzanne River, it was identified that there was also fuel seepage into the river from an upstream source.
The City of Chatueaguay was notified and relayed the concerns of the Suzanne River.
Environment Canada and Environment Quebec were notified about the second location.
In the second location along the boundary of Chateauguay, a containment dam, continued aspiration (removal) of fuel and mitigating booms are in place to prevent further contamination of fuel into the Suzanne River.

Air & Water Testing

Well-water testing and indoor air-testing continues to be carried out.
Up to February 22, one residence has tested positive for air contaminants and all well-water tests have tested negative for contaminants.
Well-water test kits have been distributed to low-to-high risk residences to daily testing. Weekly check-ins with residences are initiated.
Strategic sampling of Petroleoum Hydrocarbons (PHC) at several locations in the Suzanne River continues. This will help determine the extent of the fuel seepage.
Up to February 22nd, results show unsafe levels of PHC in the ditch across the street from the Industrial site in Chateauguay, the ditch near the most impacted residence on Zachary Road, and along the right side of the bank of the Suzanne River upstream of the Zachary Road site.
Water samples collected downstream from the Zachary Road site show low levels of PHC and indicate that the containment dams are effective. There are minimal levels to date that have reached the Seaway and caused most likely by degradation of the dams due to fluctuating weather.
Residences on the town-water network remain unaffected.

The Fuel

It was determined that the quantity of fuel collected in the residential area of Zachary Road was too great to originate from a residential issue.
The process of chemical fingerprinting is underway. Initial tests carried out by KEPO show that the fuel seepage in Chateauguay and the residential area of Zachary Road are Class #2 Diesel and heating oil.
Inspections have ruled out any leakage coming from the residence's tank on Zachary Road.
The results at this time indicate the heating fuel from the residence is not the source of the seepage into the creeks.
Since there is no evidence of a third potential source at this time, KEPO suspects that the site in Chatueaguay is the source of the seepage.
While test results are preliminary, further tests are underway with Environment Canada to further confirm the source..

What we are Doing

We are working diligently to ensure information is as accurate and up to date as possible. Please return soon for more information on the actions being taken and upcoming plans.

How Can you Help?

If you are interested in finding ways to help, reach out to questions@mck.ca or any of the contacts listed on the Working Group page. Additionally, sharing this official information with your friends and contacts through word of mouth, text messaging or social media really helps advance the efforts to keep the community informed on important updates.