Image Credit: Lhtako Gas & Convenience

By CKPG Today

Gas leak

Lhtako Dene Nation discover underground fuel leak

Apr 10, 2023 | 12:07 PM

LHTAKO DENE — The Lhtako Dene Nation has discovered an underground fuel leak at Lhtako Gas & Convenience.

The band says the leak occurred during an installation of new fuel storage tanks in December 2020, but was not discovered until June 2022. They say an estimated 110,000 litres of gas may have leaked from the underground fuel line.

A news release sent to CKPG says “The fuel line has been repaired and the Lhtako Dene Nation will be undertaking further environmental investigations to assess the extent of contamination in coordination with Indigenous Services Canada, BC Ministry of Environment, and Northern Health (for off-reserve concerns) and First Nation Health Authority (for on-reserve concerns).”

Lhtako Dene Nation says it has retained a qualified environmental consultant, SLR Consulting, to complete environmental investigations at the gas station and on adjacent lands following identification of the fuel leak. SLR has confirmed that gasoline-related contamination is present in groundwater in Arbutus Road and in a nearby residential water well. The Lhtako Dene Nation community water supply has been tested by the First Nation Health Authority and does not appear to have been impacted by the contamination.

The Nation says the contamination may impact neighbouring water wells (see map). In some cases, it says there may also be a concern about the potential gas vapours to have impacted the air in some residences. Lhtako Dene Nation is working with Northern Health, BC Ministry of Environment, First Nation Health Authority, Cariboo Regional District and other partners to address immediate concerns related to the potential for gas contamination to have migrated to nearby water wells and to residences.

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Lhtako Dene Nation advises if your residence has a well and is within the area of notiication, to have it tested immediately.

To schedule a time for field representatives to collect the water sample and assess the need for vapour screening at your home, you can contact SLR Consulting at 250-255-6432.

Image Credit: Lhtako Gas & Convenience