City of Prince George learning of threats to drinking water

A risk assessment report on the City of Prince George’s drinking water is being presented to City Council on Monday.

Radloff Associates was asked by the City to evaluate the potential negative impacts of having CN rail lines and train yards in close proximity to the City’s wells. City staff was initially alerted to the potential problem while it was constructing the Fishtrap well near the Foothills Bridge.

95% of the City’s drinking water comes from three wells located along the Nechako River. The Nechako River Valley Aquifer is considered “a goldmine from a hydrogeological standpoint” due to it’s easy access, ideal hardness levels and lack of bacterial contamination.

However in the early 2000’s two of the City’s wells in the Nechako Aquifer had to be closed due to contamination from spill related (not rail related) accidents. There was also the CN derailment in Aug 2007, which occurred next to the Fraser River resulting in a fuel spill, a fire and an undetermined amount of diesel and gasoline seeping into the ground.

In 2012-13, there were 24 reported “rail incidents” at the Prince George CN Rail yard, including a diesel spill of 2,650 litres in 2013.

The Radloff Associates report found that although the CN Rail yard itself posed a “low” risk to the City’s drinking water, derailments on track and collisions with motor vehicles at grade crossings are “possible” (31-70% probability in the next ten years) and pose a “major” risk to the aquifer. Track switches are also cited as a potential trouble spot.

Risk to the well heads themselves in minimal, but a spill in the vicinity of them could prove to be a disaster due to the high permeability of the ground and fast movement of the groundwater driven by the Nechako River.

The report made 15 recommendations, 8 to the city, 3 to CN and 4 joint actions between the two.

They include growing the City’s existing groundwater protection areas, reduction of train speeds, remote well shut down capabilities, minimization/elimination of at grade crossings and more.

“The report provided us with recommendations that will allow us to follow through, it’s important information for both the mayor and council and and the public.” City of PG Director of Public Works Gina Layte Liston said

Liston says the City will begin moving through the recommendations by priority has work them into their 5 year capital plan. She added that follow up and further investigation into the recommendations will also take place.