D.F.O. investigating as Abbotsford completes clean up after chemical spill in Stoney Creek
ABBOTSFORD — The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has confirmed it is investigating a chemical spill that resulted in the death of nearly 1,000 fish in Abbotsford’s Stoney Creek earlier this month. The incident, which occurred on July 3, was caused by the accidental release of firefighting foam from a disconnected hose. The foam drained into a nearby storm sewer and eventually into the waterway.
The City of Abbotsford became aware of the spill late on July 3 and said it promptly alerted the B.C. Ministry of Environment and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. An Emergency Operations Centre was activated the following day to coordinate the response efforts.
Initially, the City reported that more than 1,000 fish were killed in the creek. However, the figure has since been revised to 922.
The large-scale environmental response at Stoney Creek is now winding down after the latest results from surface water sampling and environmental assessments. Comprehensive testing and analysis of water samples taken on July 4 and 5 by GHD environmental consultants indicated that chemical concentrations were below detection limits and posed negligible risk to aquatic life in Stoney Creek.