$1.3M to clean up Grand River after oil spill, City of Kitchener says
City, insurer will pursue 'recovery to the maximum extent possible'
CBC News Posted: Jun 08, 2016 11:16 AM ET Last Updated: Jun 08, 2016 11:41 AM ET
Mark Servos says the presence of a black substance on the Grand River's shoreline indicates a heavy oil. (Melanie Ferrier/CBC)
The City of Kitchener has paid out $1.3 million to clean up oil that was spilled in the Grand River in April, according to a press release.
In total, 747.71 tonnes of soil had to be removed as well as 732,900 litres of impacted surface water.
The $1.3 million price tag includes the cost of containment, cleanup and remediation costs incurred by the city.
"The City of Kitchener has sought recovery of its cost under its insurance. The city and its insurer will be pursuing recovery to the maximum extent possible," the city said.
Used motor oil spilled
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) received a call on April 29 from a concerned resident who spotted what looked like oil on the water near Kolb Park.
Testing later indicated that the substance was used motor oil.
Code Yellow Towing contacted the ministry's spills action centre on May 3 and said there had been a spill at their property at 6 Forwell Road. About 300 litres of used oil was spilled onto a floor drain.
'Substantial' costs
City and ministry staff began cleanup efforts immediately and did not finish until May 12.
At the time, Scott Berry, the city's interim associate director of operations, told CBC News costs for clean up would be "substantial."
"We are tracking and recording costs," Berry said, adding that staff want to minimize costs to taxpayers.