20,000 litres of diesel fuel spill into B.C. river after transport truck crash

PRINCETON, B.C. – British Columbia’s Environment Ministry says about 20,000 litres of diesel fuel from a transport truck have spilled into the Similkameen River south of Princeton.

The truck was involved in a motor vehicle incident on Highway 3 at about 8 a.m. Monday, and a ministry employee is at the site.

The ministry says the Lower and Upper Similkameen Bands, Interior Health and Washington State officials have been notified of the spill.

Interior Health spokeswoman Tara Gostelow says no regulated water sources downstream from the spill have been affected though that may not be the case for users of private wells or unlicensed water.

Residents who draw from the river are asked to avoid use if they smell, see or taste diesel fuel in the water.

Interior Health says the warning also applies for irrigation or agricultural purposes because diesel fuel can pose a health risk if ingested, inhaled or absorbed in the skin.