Crews work to clean up aviation fuel that was released into Kamloops Lake, near Kamloops, B.C., in this Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, handout photo, following a train derailment on Saturday, Nov. 1. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Government of British Columbia (Mandatory Credit)

By The Canadian Press

Official says test reveals no contamination of a local water system after derailment

Nov 8, 2025 | 9:17 AM

VICTORIA — A local official said testing has revealed “no contamination” of a local water system on Kamloops Lake in B.C. after more than 80,000 litres of aviation fuel spilled on its shores in a train derailment last weekend.

Michael Grenier, director for Area J of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, said in a social media post that test results show “no direct impact” on the quality of drinking water in Savona, whose 700 residents live on the southwestern shore of Kamloops Lake.

Grenier said the testing took place at the intake for the Savona Community Water System.

“At this time, there is no contamination of the water system, and there remains no direct impact to drinking water in Savona as a result of the…train derailment that occurred on Nov. 1, 2025,” Grenier said.

Grenier’s post comes after test results from all water samples taken earlier this week showed no detections above provincial safety thresholds for drinking water or aquatic life.

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Grenier said the regional district is still waiting for test results for the Walhachin community water system, adding that the risk “very remains very low” at this time.

He added that TNRD will provide an update when these results are available.

Grenier said regular testing of water quality will continue, adding that the regional district will inform residents of Savona and Walhachin of any changes through its alert system, if necessary.

“There are other privately owned and operated water systems that draw water from Kamloops Lake, including Tobiano,” Grenier said. “If you have questions about a private water system, contact your water system provider.”

Rail operator Canadian Pacific Kansas City said in a statement released Friday that it “remains fully committed” to the cleanup of the train derailment, which happened Nov. 1 near Cherry Creek, about 20 kilometres west of Kamloops.

No one was injured in the derailment, which involved a locomotive and 17 rail cars, two of which were carrying aviation fuel, and its cause remains under investigation.

The statement from Canadian Pacific Kansas City said crews have so far removed four rail cars.

“Work to safely remove the remaining cars from the site is expected in the coming days,” it said.

The statement said that the sampling of water and its analysis continues.

“Containment booms remain in the water along the shore,” it reads. “We remain fully committed to the cleanup of the site.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press