Fertilizer spill in southern Alberta prompts advisory not to use water
By The Canadian Press on July 16, 2015.
An accidental release of fertilizer near the Little Bow River in southern Alberta has Alberta Environment issuing an advisory.
The provincial department says anyone using water from the Little Bow or the Travers Reservoir should close their intake until further notice.
The department says in a news release that about 9,800 litres of urea ammonium nitrate, a commonly used liquid agriculture fertilizer solution, was accidentally released from a container on private property.
The release occurred on land northeast of the Village of Carmangay in Vulcan County.
Alberta Environment says it is awaiting results from sampling but issued the advisory as a precaution.
It says water users in the area are being contacted.
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Alberta health officials are warning about a fertilizer spill in Vulcan County that has contaminated water in the Little Bow River.
A map showing the area impacted by the water quality alert. (Google Maps)
A handful of residents draw water from the river, which flows into the nearby Travers Reservoir, home to a RV resort and Little Bow Provincial Park campground.
"We've reached out," said Alberta government spokesman Jamie Hanlon. "Our focus right now is letting people know that there is a potential issue and ask them to take appropriate and proper precautions."
Alberta officials are monitoring the situation and sampling the water, he said.
According to the alert, people should not use the water for drinking, cooking or bathing. "Do not boil the water. It is recommended that residents who use the river east of Carmangay where it intersects Range Road 232 and farther along in the Travers Reservoir, to exercise caution."
Source:http://www.cbc.ca