Environment Canada claims that thousands of litres (or more) of diesel leaked out from a storage container in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. It was only two years ago that the tank was cleaned up.
A pump was left on at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvikschool overnight during a manual fuel transfer in April 2020. The tank started to overflow and then went unnoticed until morning. 18,400 litres fuel leaked into the sewer system from the room where the storage tank is located at the school.
According to Daniel Smith, the Prairie and Northern Area Regional Director with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s enforcement program, it flowed toward the treatment plant and then out into the Arctic Ocean via Hudson Bay. Smith stated that there is an outfall approximately 500m offshore, under the ice, in an interview with CBCthisweek.
Smithsaid, “The information we have is that it wasn’t recoverable due to the difficult situation with the tides and the ice cover.”
This week, the Nunavut government was hit with a $100,000 fine in accordance to the amended section 21 of Canada’s storage tank regulations.
Smith stated that this is the first prosecution under this subsection.
Smith stated that the cause of the fuel-leakage was human error.
He stated that diesel fuel was clearly harmful to the environment as well as fish.
“We don’t know the exact impact, but we do know that there was a significant release of radioactive material and that it was irrecoverable.”
Funds from the $100,000 fine will be sent to the federal Environmental Damages Fund. This fund is supposed to support restoration projects, including the conservation and protection of wildlife habitats.
In addition, the Nunavut government must disclose to the residents of the hamlet the possible consequences and circumstances of the spillage to comply with court orders.
Smith stated, “Our goal is prevent these situations from ever happening.”
“To date, Nunavut’s government has been cooperative throughout our investigation. We will monitor to ensure that this is maintained.”
The territory stated in a press release that the spillage did not affect the municipal water supply.
Multiple requests for comment have been made to Nunavut’s Department of Community and Government Services for their responsibility for the fuel tank.
Sandi Chan, spokesperson from the department of Education, said that the tank was due to be replaced in that year.