Bear Creek chemical spill cleanup “winding down”

A cleanup at Bear Creek between Maskawoteh Park and the Grande Prairie Museum is nearing completion.

A chemical leak was first reported to the City on July 24, and City crews, GPFD and a hazmat team responded to begin a full cleanup.

At this time, the City has determined the chemical to be either weathered diesel or hydraulic oil, but do not know the exact source, as “most stormwater in Grande Prairie flows untreated from streets and properties into storm ponds or local waterways.”

However, they do note that as part of the City’s drainage bylaw, fuels, oils, chemicals and other harmful substances are prohibited from entering stormwater, and violators can face punishments such as fines.