Cleanup on a crashed truck that was hauling class B biosolids en route to OK Ranch, near Jesmond, last week, has wrapped up.
The materials originated at the Westside Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant near West Kelowna, said Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) spokesperson Bruce Smith in a press release issued shortly after the event.
The accident happened at about 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, when the semi-truck, operated by a RDCO subcontractor, hit an icy patch and overturned. The driver was pinned in the cab of the truck, but was freed by emergency crews and has since been released from hospital.
The truck contained about 20 cubic metres of biosolids.
“The regional district’s biosolids management subcontractor immediately enacted its emergency spill protocol, notifying the Ministry of Environment of the spill, and securing the site,” said Smith. “Working in co-ordination with ministry staff, spill response crews are taking all the necessary steps to remove the spilled materials and soil from the site.”
Along with the biosolids material, an unknown amount of engine oil, hydraulic oil and coolant was also spilled at the site, though the fuel tanks remained in tact. “Spill response crews are working to isolate the site, however partially frozen waterways have proven to be a challenge when setting booms and retention systems,” said Smith.
The Interior Health Authority has advised the public to keep themselves and their pets away from the area until potential health risks as a result of possible pathogens contained in the biosolids are ruled out.
