Here's why a southern Ontario creek turned blood-red
Earlier this week, residents in southern Ontario were startled to see the water in Etobicoke Creek running blood-red.
Earlier this week, the water in Etobicoke Creek turned blood-red after 400 litres of red ink spilled into the waterway.
The Weather Network reached out to the Ministry of the Environment for additional information.
Below is an emailed statement from Gary Wheeler, a spokesperson for Ontario's Environment, Conservation and Parks:
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks takes all spills seriously.
The ministry was notified Tuesday, March 24th of a spill of ink at a printing ink manufacturing facility located at 2150 Drew Road in Mississauga in the Drew Road and Bramalea Road area. Two 55 gallon drums of red printing ink were punctured when the product was being off-loaded from a delivery vehicle, discharging into a storm sewer located in the loading dock. The spill has impacted the Etobicoke Creek, located approximately 150 metres away and downstream into the Toronto area of the Creek as well as the east Etobicoke Creek tributary.
Hubergroup, the company responsible for the ink, retained Accuworx to clean up the spill. Clean-up efforts began on March 24th and are now focused on the storm sewer until all residual ink has been removed.
Toronto Water Environmental Monitoring & Protection (EM&P) initially diverted impacted water from the creek into the Region of Peel’s sanitary sewer which is connected to the Region’s G.E. Booth wastewater treatment facility for over four hours.
On Wednesday March 25th, Toronto Water EM&P assessed the area as well as clean up efforts and determined that due to the solubility of the spilled material no further measures can be taken to effectively clean up the spilled ink. Toronto Water EM&P is monitoring the flow of the spilled material until it naturally dissipates.
Also on March 25th, ministry staff made observations at the creek and where it connects to Lake Ontario. Varying degrees of reddish/brown colouration was observed in the water and on the rocks and vegetation along the creek. The colour of the water in the creek has improved.
The ministry has notified Environment and Climate Change Canada because the ink has reached the mouth of Lake Ontario, over which they have jurisdiction.
Impact to the health of the wildlife in the area is yet to be assessed. The ministry will consult with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Environment and Climate Change Canada to determine next steps.
The ministry will continue to follow up with the company and Accuworx to ensure that the spilled material and any impacted areas are cleaned appropriately.