Ontario's Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) says 400 litres of fuel spilled from a Sun-Canadian Pipeline into the St. Clair River on March 11.
An investigation by TSSA and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks found a 1.6-millimetre pinhole caused by external corrosion was the source of the leak.
In an email to Sarnia News Today, the TSSA said the operator has implemented a temporary repair that is compliant with the oil and gas pipelines code.
The provincial public safety regulator said it reviewed and approved Sun Canadian's repair and restart plan which met all of the safety requirements.
The pipeline was restarted over the weekend, and Sun-Canadian will be submitting a proposal to TSSA for approval of a permanent repair.
The TSSA said it will be conducting an audit of the pipeline in the coming year.
The agency said it has been in contact with Aamjiwnaang First Nation and provided updates on the investigation, the operator’s repair and restart plan, and TSSA’s regulatory decisions before the pipeline restart.
That is contrary to a notice put out by the Aamjiwnaang Band Council this week.
The First Nation said the pipeline was returned to service without the community receiving clear and complete information about the impacts of the leak, or confirmation that it has been fully resolved.
A news release issued Sunday stated council is working to ensure the situation is addressed in a manner that meets the highest standards of environmental protection, transparency, and accountability.
It also said Aamjiwnaang is dismayed the TSSA made this decision without addressing the First Nation’s concerns or responding to recent communications.
The TSSA has said it will continue to engage Aamjiwnaang First Nation and provide updates.
