August 8, 2026
Lemon Creek Fuel Spill
Information Update #8
Here is the latest information regarding the Lemon Creek fuel spill for August 8, 2013.
Breaking News – Water Orders Lifted For All Areas South of Winlaw Bridge
Interior Health Authority has lifted the DO NOT USE WATER ORDERS for all areas along the Slocan River south of the Winlaw Bridge. All of the water sample data provided for this area meets the Canadian Guidelines for Drinking Water.
Of the 63km of river system in the Kootenay & Slocan being tested, monitored and cleaned by the Response Team - 48km, including the most popular recreational sections, has been declared as safe for home, irrigation, recreation and drinking use by Interior Health and as meeting necessary environmental standards as set forth by MoE. Lemon Creek, and upper portions of the Slocan, continue to be assessed.
Interior Health Authority advises residents in this area thoroughly flush their drinking water and irrigation systems as there will be stagnant water in the lines. Directions on how to do this are posted at www.interiorhealth.ca. If, after flushing, residents have any concerns or detect any odours of fuel, please contact IH Health Protection at 250.420.2220.
Breaking News – Quantum Murray Hires 19 Employees to Assist with Clean Up
On Wednesday, August 7th over 150 people from across the West Kootenays visited the Sandman Hotel to interview for positions with Quantum Murray. 19 people were hired to work with clean-up crews in a non-hazardous capacity. This addition to the team will provide welcome relief to responders who have been on site for nearly two weeks.
Containment Booms Removed from Kootenay and Lower Slocan Rivers
Quantum Murray removed the containment booms at the Kootenay (Brilliant) and Lower Slocan (confluence with Kootenay). There has been no detectable product in these locations over the last week and all data collected supports MOE and IHA’s position that the water in the Kootenay River is safe for people to use.
Quantum Murray deployed boats and crews to collect the boom equipment and continues to take all appropriate steps to ensure the residual contamination is captured and removed to a licensed waste facility. This is a very positive step in the clean-up process and we look forward to sharing more information as it becomes available.
Potable Water Locations
Potable water is available at the at the Junction of Highway 6 and Lemon Creek Road and at the Resiliency Center in Winlaw.
Resiliency Center Actively Supporting Residents
An increasing number of residents of the Slocan Valley are visiting the Resiliency Center at Winlaw Elementary. Nearly 100 people each day are accessing shower and washroom facilities, getting information, and speaking with disaster counselors. Staff at the Resiliency Center can provide a private place to discuss how the incident has affected residents and their families and provide direction and support to those who are affected.
In addition, Interior Health Authority has Environmental Health Officers available daily from 1-3pm on site to answer questions.
Shoreline Clean-up and Assessment Technique (SCAT)
Executive Flight Centre has engaged Polaris Applied Sciences from Kirkland, Washington to conduct a Shoreline Clean-up & Assessment Technique, or SCAT. Leading the SCAT team is Polaris Principal, Dr. Elliott Taylor, a world-renowned expert in spill clean-up operations. To learn more about Dr. Taylor, visit http://www.polarisappliedsciences.com/about/key-personnel/elliott-taylo/
Air Quality & Odors
A thorough air quality assessment was completed over the last week and results confirm to the MoE and IHA that atmospheric concentrations have been well within established government standards. Odors continue to dissipate, however, the smell of jet fuel is still occasionally apparent. Interior Health advises everyone that smell alone does not constitute a health hazard.
Agricultural Land Testing
SNC Lavalin experts, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, have collected vegetation and soil samples in support of the program of assessment for agricultural land. The Kootenay Organic Growers Society is also working closely with the various agencies on its members behalf. Results of these tests are still pending analysis.
Containment and Remediation
Quantum Murray is progressing with the clean-up efforts. The response effort continues to focus on those areas identified by the SCAT Assessment.
Light “flushing” activities are being conducted by field crews with hoses and clean water. This allows responders to free product (Jet A1 fuel without additives) from streambanks and vegetation to make it available for collection. This process is working very well and allows the product to either be collected or evaporate – but may cause people in the vicinity to smell the jet fuel. IHA advises that this smell is not a health hazard at these levels.
Containment booms remain at Perry’s Back Road Bridge and Winlaw Bridge and is capturing any free flowing product. The product is being skimmed off the water into a vacuum truck and removed to a licensed waste facility.
Water Quality Monitoring and Testing
Water quality test results have been sent to the Interior Health Authority to assist in making a decision on when the remaining DO NOT USE WATER ORDER on Lemon Creek and Slocan River can be lifted. SNC Lavalin expects these results very soon.
The DO NOT USE ORDER is causing hardship for many residents, but is in effect to protect your health. The DO NOT USE ORDER means 1) shut off your water system to prevent it from drawing in contaminants, and 2) do not use water from Lemon Creek or the Slocan River between Winlaw Bridge and the Lemon Creek confluence for drinking, washing, watering livestock and gardens and recreational use. We are working to have the order lifted as soon as possible however public health and safety remain our top concerns.
A recreational ban north of the Winlaw Bridge to Lemon creek includes all swimming and the use of watercraft and boats (Transport Canada Vessel Restriction Advisory) due to both the public safety hazard and the presence of response teams and containment booms throughout the river systems.
Well Water & Testing
Interior Health Authority advises that well water, in general, is not affected by the DO NOT USE ORDER (which remains in effect for Lemon Creek and Slocan River north of the Winlaw Bridge). However, shallow wells close to the creek or rivers, particularly those in gravel/sandy soils, may be impacted.
Residents concerned about the safety and quality of their well water should contact the Interior Health Authority at 250.420.2220. Environmental Health Officers will be able to provide direction and advice on what to do and answers questions on whether your well water needs testing.
The Public Eye
Your help has been beneficial in helping us to identify locations where fuel is present. If you spot a site, identify the exact location and forward the information along with your name and contact to the Executive Flight Centre at (or call the toll free number at 1-855-399-1694).
The information will be forwarded to Quantum Murray which will investigate the area and, if necessary, dispatch a response clean-up crew to the site. This is particularly important for private landowners who may be required to grant access to the river from their property.
Losses and Claims
The cause and circumstance surrounding the incident are still under investigation by Transport Canada and by our safety team. While the investigation continues, anyone who may have questions about personal losses, impacts to property or livelihood, or other specific claims must follow the procedure as set out by the insurance company. Leona Ashcroft, an insurance specialist in Nelson, has a special claims number you can contact her at:
Leona G. Ashcroft, CIP Branch Manager ClaimsPro Inc.,
A division of SCM Insurance Services
2032- 622 Front Street, Nelson, BC V1L 4B7
Toll free: 1 – 800-880-8384
| www.scm-claimspro.ca
Communications
Executive Flight Centre is committed to keeping you informed. Our dedicated website at www.lemoncreekresponse.ca is your source for information and the place to leave comments and questions (). The Executive Flight Centre toll free information line is now in operation. The number is 1-855-399-1694 and will be staffed daily from 8:00am-4:00pm. Please leave us a message if you are calling outside those hours. We will return all phone calls and respond to all e-mails. As well, staff from EFC will be in the area to monitor progress and respond to concerns. We know how important it is to have someone to talk to.
Key Contacts:
Questions? Need more information? Here are the key contacts to call:
Executive Flight Centre:
Response website: www.lemoncreekresponse.ca
Toll free: 1-855-399-1694 (staffed 8:00am-4:00pm PDT)
Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK): 1-800-268-7325
Ministry of Environment (Nelson Office): 250-354-6333 (Mon-Fri)
Interior Health Authority- Health Protection: 250-420-2220
Ministry of Agriculture: 1-888-221-7141
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure: 250-387-3198
Claims inquiries: 1-800-880-8384
Media Inquiries: Jonathan Lok ()
Information updates will be posted on a regular basis. Thank-you.