Prince Albert building 20km-long drinking water pipeline as oil slick approaches: cleanup of 200,000L-plus spill continues

Jason Warick, Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Crews work to clean up an oil spill on the North Saskatchewan river near Maidstone, Sask on Friday July 22, 2016. Husky Energy has said between 200,000 and 250,000 litres of crude oil and other material leaked into the river on Thursday from its pipeline. JASON FRANSON / THE CANADIAN PRESS

   Prince Albert officials have ordered construction of a 20 to 30 kilometre temporary drinking water pipeline as a massive oil slick on the North Saskatchewan River approaches the city.
“They’ve done an admirable job (of planning),” Saskatchewan Water Security Agency’s Same Ferris told reporters Sunday. “It’s a temporary installation.”
   Residents of both cities are advised to use water sparingly until the regular water treatment capacity is restored. It’s unclear exactly how long that will be, officials said.
   “Water conservation is very important in this situation,” Ferris said.
   The city of North Battleford has already shut off its river intake and is drawing its drinking water from other sources. On Sunday, P.A. had not yet shut off its water intake from the North Saskatchewan River, as tests came back clean. That could change when the oil arrives late Sunday or early Monday...http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/pa-prepares-for-river-oil-slick-cleanup-of-200000l-plus-spill-continues