Cleanup efforts are ongoing and samples continue to be collected after a crude oil spill was reported in the St. Clair River last week.
Suncor reported the spill on Thursday, March 27, just before 1:40 p.m.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) said the spilled hydrocarbon from Suncor's cooling water system consisted of 500 to 700 litres of crude oil.
"The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks takes all spills and threats to the natural environment seriously," read an emailed statement from the MECP. "The ministry’s role is to ensure that those responsible for any discharges to the environment take all necessary measures to restore it to its original state."
Impacts of the spill were primarily identified in the areas around Suncor's south dock and Shell's boat dock, which is where cleanup efforts are focused.
"Cleanup activities are ongoing at multiple locations along the river, with final cleanup efforts expected to be completed by the end of the week," read the email. "Booms are also still in place, to ensure any remaining spill material is contained."
The MECP said Suncor continues to take samples and is sharing results with the ministry, including results from the Bluewater Association for Safety Environment and Sustainability’s river monitor, south of the spill location.
"The ministry is not aware of any impacts to wildlife. The ministry will continue to follow-up with Suncor and local stakeholders to ensure the company takes all necessary steps to clean up the spill," read the statement. "The ministry is conducting an additional field visit today (March 31) to further assess the state of the cleanup and take additional samples."
It wasn't specified whether or not MECP issued orders against Suncor.
"We will continue to assess the potential impacts to the St. Clair River and utilize the appropriate compliance tools available," read the statement.
In the meantime, Lambton Public Health (LPH) Manager of Health Protection Amy Pavletic told Sarnia News Today, the do not use water advisory for St. Clair Township (for water used from the river) remains in effect.
"The advisory will remain in effect until the MECP provides their analysis of the objective results to LPH that indicates that it's safe to rescind the advisory," she said.
The advisory was issued roughly four hours after the spill was reported.
"We began our investigation by coordinating with St. Clair Township as well as the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks, and all other agencies involved to ensure that we were collecting the right information and to be able to determine our next course of action," Pavletic said. "It takes some coordination and collaboration but once all of that had occurred, we were able to issue the advisory."
While there may have been confusion over social media, the advisory was only for water from the St. Clair River. Municipal water supplies remained safe to drink and bathe in.
"The spill only impacts a small number of private water intakes, all of which also have access to municipal water," said Pavletic. "Generally speaking, everybody who is drinking water from the tap in that area, it's all municipal water and it's safe to drink so there has been no need for bottled water to be provided."
Pavletic said at this time, LPH has not received any notices of injury or illness related to the incident.
From a recreational standpoint, Pavletic said, because of the nature of the crude oil spill, they wouldn't want water to get on anyone's skin or accidentally ingested.
"It's important for us to get that notice out so people are aware of the risks, should they have access to, or any family members or pets -- as an example -- have access to the water," she said.
Pavletic said any updates regarding the advisory will be posted to social media.