King City gasoline spill that entered storm water system not harmful to drinking water: fire department

Yorkregion.com
April 29, 2016
By Tim Kelly

A gasoline spill that made its way into the storm water system near Keele Street and Clearview Heights in King City has been deemed not harmful to the township’s drinking water, according to the King Township Fire Department.

King City residents complained about a strong odour coming from the Burton Grove area Tuesday and the King Township Fire Department was called.

The department confirmed the presence of gasoline in storm water infrastructure along Keele, near Clearview.

Fire department staff confirmed hydrocarbon levels within local homes were not harmful. Residents were instructed to ventilate their homes and flush water down floor drains.

York Region’s Spill Response Team and Ontario's Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Spills Action Centre were notified. York Region’s team arrived on site late in the day and placed a boom at the outfall to the impacted storm infrastructure.

At this time, three homes have had their natural gas hookups disconnected as a precaution while clean-up work continues.

While overall responsibility is with the ministry and York Region, King Township continues to support their activities and affected residents.

Updates will be provided to the public as work continues.

“We are taking all measures to ensure the safety of residents, identify the source of the contamination and flush the system completely,” said Andrzej Drzewiecki, director of King’s Engineering, Public Works and Building Department.