Esquimalt Public Works Department had intended on removing the containment booms from the mouth of the Gorge Creek on December 24, 2015. However, when staff attended the site it was noticed that there was still some signs of the Kerosene like substance in the water between the containment boom at the mouth of the creek and the foot bridge into Kinsmen Gorge Park at the end of Sioux Pl. Staff made the decision to leave the booms and absorbent pads in place until such a time that we were sure that we had captured as much of the Kerosene like substance from the November 30, 2015 spill as possible.
Efforts to contain and remove the substance had lost effectiveness. Due to the small volume of material and concern about wildlife coming into contact with equipment and substance, the decision was made to remove the booms on January 6, 2015.
Esquimalt Public Works Department were called on December 25, 2015 to attend and contain a small spill at the end of McNaughton Avenue. Staff deployed absorbent booms and pads right away. Once the booms and pads had been put in place PW Staff attempted to locate a source of the spill, with no luck. PW Staff have continued to revisit the site daily to ensure that the booms and pads are doing their jobs and to replace any pads/booms that required it.
As we do with all spill occurrences Esquimalt’s Engineering and Public Works Department will make every effort to ensure that the effects on the Wild Life and the Environment are kept to a minimum.
For more information, please contact:
Jeff Miller, Director of Engineering and Public Works
Tel: 250-414-7108