Another day, another spill on the Colquitz River.
Saanich public works crews on Wednesday were trying to locate the source of another fuel spill on the urban waterway.
Volunteer river steward Dorothy Chambers discovered the fuel spill Tuesday. She notified Saanich public works, who responded quickly, building a siphon dam to stop the contamination from spreading.
"We suctioned it out two times right away," said Adriane Pollard, environmental services manager for Saanich.
A sample was taken for testing. Pollard said results will likely be in today but the substance is not believed to be home heating oil.
"It looks and smells like diesel," Chambers said.
"It's another day on the river, and we're still dealing with the B.C. Hydro spill."
Wednesday's spill was traced to the area of Burnside and Tillicum roads.
On Nov. 7, an oily sheen was traced to insulating oil from B.C. Hydro transmission lines. Another spill occurred Nov. 23, when hydraulic fluid seeped into the waterway from heavy equipment at Albina Street and Burnside Road, Chambers said.
In February, 634 litres of home heating oil spilled into the river. In 2011, up to 1,000 litres of home heating oil spilled into Swan Creek and then into Colquitz River.
Chambers is "frustrated and sick" over the recurring spills in Colquitz River, where coho salmon spawn.
"It's a chronic thing and it's just getting worse."
If the spills are the result of people dumping contaminants in storm drains, there needs to be accountability, she said.
"My concern is that companies will dump and ignore because, if they report it, they're liable for the costs."
Pollard said it's disheartening to see another spill in the river. Most spills occur
as a result of an accident, she said.
"It's just a matter of working with the people to stop the flow and contain everything," Pollard said.
A YEAR OF SPILLS INTO COLQUITZ RIVER
1. Nov. 25, 2011 - Up to 1,000 litres of heating oil leak from a homeowner's fuel tank and into Swan Creek and Colquitz River.
2. Feb. 23, 2012 - An estimated 634 litres of home heating oil spills into Colquitz River from a house on Brookridge Place.
3. Nov. 7, 2012 - An oily sheen in the water is traced back to B.C. Hydro transmission lines. The insulating oil, which is not toxic to fish, is thought to have leaked into the river over 11 months
4. Nov. 23, 2012 - Hydraulic fluid seeps into the waterway from heavy equipment at Albina Street and Burnside Road.
5. Dec. 4, 2012 - A spill is noticed in Colquitz River. The substance has been sent for testing.
