Spill at Stoney Creek

Based on recommendations from the biologists on site, as concentrations of the firefighting foam rapidly decreased due to dilution, biodegradation and oxidization, the City with our First Nations and government partners are discontinuing surface water sampling, fish salvage, and water treatment, are removing animal deterrents and fully reopening public access at Bateman Park over the coming days.

Biologists determined that the initial concentration of the contamination had negative physical effects on fish in the creek with the foaming of the material limiting the fish’s ability to absorb oxygen from the water. This resulted in the unfortunate loss of fish during the acute phase of the spill.

During the response, representatives from Semá:th First Nation, Stó:lō Guardians, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance and GHD conducted a fish salvage program to remove live fish from the creek. A total of 1,448 fish were collected and relocated to Clayburn Creek, and 922 deceased fish were removed. Up to 300 fish were also salvaged from an unimpacted upstream portion of Stoney Creek where they were stranded due to seasonal low water levels and relocated to Clayburn Creek.

The original number reported on July 8 was a miscount.

After learning that source water testing and assessments would take several days to complete, the City chose to pump and treat the water out of an abundance of caution.

Environmental consultants GHD confirmed the firefighting foam is highly soluble, biodegradable and of low toxicity. The substance was not detected in surface water samples from July 4 and 5, indicating the spilled material biodegraded and diluted over the initial hours after the release, having no impact on downstream waters. Review of the Stoney Creek ecosystem and visual observations at and downstream of the Stormwater Outfall in Stoney Creek confirmed the concentrations of the spilled material and impact is negligible.

Quantum Murray Environmental rinsed the rocks and banks of Stoney Creek from the point of the spill downstream to remove any residue that may have been left behind. The creek will be monitored after the next rainfall as a precaution, however we have been advised by Quantum Murray there should not be any residual effects. 

The substance is of low-toxicity, highly soluble and biodegradable and does not bioaccumulate, indicating a negligible risk to birds or wildlife that may have drank the water or eaten any deceased fish. 

Based on review of the substance and analysis of the event, and as the firefighting foam is highly soluble, biodegradable and of low toxicity. biologists and environmental experts have determined there is negligible risk to aquatic life. 

Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service is in the process of changing from PHOS-CHEK® 1% to Frontier 3%, so environmental assessments included testing and analysis of both materials as a precaution.

Assessment of the drinking water pathway sources has confirmed that it remains safe for consumption, posing no health concerns to the community.

The City of Abbotsford was notified late Wednesday July 3, 2024 of a possible detergent or foaming substance in Stoney Creek and immediately sent City crews to investigate, determine the source, restrict further contamination, and assess a response.

The City immediately contacted the Ministry of Environment and Department of Oceans and Fisheries.

After a preliminary investigation it was discovered that firefighting foam was accidentally released from a disconnected hose and entered the storm drain and the waterway.

An Emergency Operations Centre was activated and public access to the creek was restricted at the site so that work crews could begin addressing the situation.

The City of Abbotsford also contracted with Quantum Murray Environmental, a leading Canadian environmental and industrial services company, to create and implement a treatment plan to respond to the spill. 

Absorbent booms do not work well with firefighting foam as the substance dissolves in water. The product must be removed which is why vacuum and flush trucks were brought in.

Phos-Chek®, a commonly utilized class A/B firefighting foam, was the product involved in the spill. 

Anyone who believes their animal has been exposed to a chemical or toxin in the environment should contact their veterinarian.

Anyone believing they have symptoms related to an exposure to a chemical or toxin in the environment should seek medical attention by contacting their medical professional or local hospital.

The City has advised Fraser Health of the incident and the product involved in the spill.

The City of Abbotsford is winding down a large-scale environmental spill response at Stoney Creek following positive results of surface water sampling and environmental assessments. The City of Abbotsford, in conjunction with Semá:th and Matsqui First Nations, as well as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, has successfully completed mitigation efforts stemming from an accidental release of concentrated firefighting foam into the creek on July 3.

Comprehensive testing and analysis of surface water samples taken July 4 and 5 by GHD environmental consultants indicate chemical concentrations were below detection limits and had negligible risk to aquatic life in Stoney Creek. The assessment further determined that the loss of fish was not due to chemical contamination from the foam, but rather the short-term physical effects and foaming of the material, which limited the fish’s ability to get oxygen.

As concentrations of the firefighting foam rapidly decreased through dilution, biodegradation and oxidization, and based on recommendations from the environmental professionals, the City with First Nations and government partners is discontinuing surface water sampling, fish salvage, and water treatment, has started removing animal deterrents and is fully reopening public access at Bateman Park in the coming days.

The surface water sampling reports and scientific literature information about the chemical components of the firefighting foam also indicate that the fish that were relocated during the response, as well as those that remain in Stoney Creek, are no longer at risk. Likewise, the chemical components of the firefighting foam do not accumulate in fish tissue and, therefore, the fish in Stoney Creek as well as the fish relocated to Clayburn Creek are no longer impacted by the chemical components of the firefighting foam.

During the response, representatives from Semá:th First Nation, Stó:lō Guardians, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance and GHD conducted a fish salvage to remove fish from the creek. A total of 1,448 live fish were collected and moved to fresh water, and 922 deceased fish were removed. Up to 300 fish were also salvaged from an unimpacted upstream portion of Stoney Creek where they were stranded due to seasonal low water levels and relocated to Clayburn Creek.

The City will continue to investigate this incident and will adjust procedures as required, to safeguard against a similar accident from happening in the future.

Additional information:
•    GHD Summary of Response Efforts and Recommendations

Over the weekend, the City of Abbotsford continued actively working with the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as local First Nations, and Quantum Murray Environmental to ensure that the spill that occurred at Stoney Creek is addressed. 

Over a three day period, representatives from Semá:th First Nation, Stó:lō Guardians, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance and environmental consultants GHD conducted a fish salvage to remove fish from the contaminated water. A total of 1,198 fish were collected and moved to fresh water, and 1,048 deceased fish were removed. 

Quantum Murray Environmental, the City’s contracted environmental specialists, established a water treatment system that channels contaminated water through a treatment process and returns it to the creek. To date, more than 211,000 gallons of water has been treated. Fish, sediment, water and surrounding vegetation are also being tested to ensure containment of any contaminants.

While this sensitive clean-up work continues, the City is asking residents visiting the park to remain on designated paths and to keep pets on leash so they do not drink the creek water. Signage is up throughout the park and Park Ambassadors are onsite to help guide park users while the clean-up continues.

The City greatly appreciates the support of First Nations and other partners who have been on-hand to support the remediation process. The City of Abbotsford will continue to operate an Emergency Operations Centre to ensure that every effort is made to address the spill in a timely and fulsome manner.

Early yesterday, the City of Abbotsford activated an Emergency Operations Centre to address the spill that occurred at Stoney Creek when it was discovered that firefighting foam was accidentally released from a disconnected hose and entered the storm drain and the waterway. Phos-Chek®, a commonly utilized class A/B firefighting foam, was the product involved in the spill. The City of Abbotsford continues to work closely with both the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to ensure a spill impacting Stoney Creek is fully contained and remediated.  

The City of Abbotsford has also contracted with Quantum Murray Environmental, a leading Canadian environmental and industrial services company, to create and implement a treatment plan to respond to the spill. This work includes installing special fencing to restrict access to the area from fish and other waterborne species and reroute fresh water. Fish and other water species will be monitored to further minimize any impact.  

A water treatment system is being set up at the park where water quality will be continuously monitored and treated. It will operate 24 hours a day and will take over the water testing and the vacuum and flush trucks removing remaining residue. Quantum Murray Environmental advises that this process is a common practice utilized by communities across Canada.  

Local First Nations have been advised of the situation and the City is working closely with them. The City is asking residents to please stay away from the area while the clean-up crews are working and the water treatment facility operates, and to keep pets out of the area.  

Anyone believing they have symptoms related to an exposure to a chemical or toxin in the environment should seek medical attention by contacting their medical professional or local hospital.  

The City of Abbotsford is working closely with both the Ministry of Environment and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to ensure a spill impacting Stoney Creek is immediately contained and remediated. The spill resulted from firefighting foam being accidentally released from a disconnected hose and entering the storm drain and the waterway.

The City takes this incident very seriously and is taking steps to ensure that this cannot happen again. Public access to the creek has been restricted at the site, as vacuum and flush trucks are working on the storm system to remove remaining residue.

Signage and caution tape have been put up and staff are onsite notifying people walking in the area. Residents are asked to please stay away from the area while clean-up crews are working and keep pets out of the area.