Saanich Public Works crews are responding to a fuel spill in Blenkinsop Creek, upstream from the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.
The spill had not yet reached Swan Lake, according to a statement released by the district at 4:10 p.m.
A Saanich resident alerted the municipality to the spill at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. Crews traced the leak to a home-heating oil tank on Taine Place and have placed a boom in the creek to isolate the spill from the lake.
They believe 300 litres of fuel has leaked, but not all of it would have reached the creek.
“Saanich crews have excavated the drain connection at the property line and they have installed a syphon to prevent further oil from escaping into the storm water system, which drains to Blenkinsop Creek,” the statement said.
Crews used video-camera technology in the storm drain to verify that there is only one source of leaking oil.
Saanich believes the oil tank has had a slow leak for “some time” and that heavy rains recently sent the oil into the home’s perimeter drain.
“Once this occurs, there is a direct connection between the oil and the creek,” the statement said.
The Provincial Emergency Program, Ministry of Environment and oil provider are also assisting.
The district is warning residents to keep pets out of the spill areas and to report spills immediately.
