A containment operation has successfully managed a spill in the St. Clair River, as confirmed by Suncor, the oil refinery located in Sarnia, Ontario. The incident, involving a hydrocarbon sheen spotted on the waterway around 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday during routine monitoring, has been addressed. A hydrocarbon sheen, typically characterized by a black-brown tint from petroleum substances, exhibits a shiny or iridescent appearance on the water’s surface. Suncor reported that the source of the release has been identified and controlled, with immediate deployment of response equipment such as booms and vacuum tools on the St. Clair River. The cleanup process is in progress with assistance from the Eastern Canada Response Corporation.
The spill, originating from Suncor’s stormwater collection system, falls under the responsibility of the refinery for remediation, as stated by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment. Ongoing cleanup efforts, including the presence of booms to contain any residual spill material, aim to mitigate environmental impacts. The ministry plans to conduct a field assessment to evaluate the cleanup progress and spill status further. Information regarding the spill’s size and duration of discharge remains undisclosed.
By 9 a.m. on Thursday, the city’s alert system confirmed no downstream impact from the spill and assured the public that the municipal water system remained unaffected. Regulatory agencies and local community groups have been duly informed, according to Suncor’s spokesperson, Christine Randall. The Sarnia refinery, operational since 1952, processes approximately 85,000 barrels of oil daily.