Booms not containing oil spill in North Saskatchewan River, more steps being taken

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – The Saskatchewan government says attempts to stop a pipeline oil spill from flowing down the North Saskatchewan River have failed and new steps are being taken.

Husky Energy has said between 200,000 and 250,000 litres of crude oil and other material leaked into the river on Thursday from its pipeline near Maidstone.

It turned off the pipeline and put out booms to contain the spill.

A Saskatchewan government official says high water levels lifted the oil over the booms and the spill continued downstream towards the city of North Battleford.

The official says Husky and the government are placing booms further downstream and increasing skimming to try to remove oil from the water.

North Battleford shut down its water intake plant earlier today and says it has a three-day supply of water in its reservoirs and water tower.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version had "operationing" in Peabody's title