Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd. 2007. Water Quality Assessment Following an Accidental Release of Sodium Hydroxide: Final Report. Prepated for Canadian National Railway Company. |
|---|---|
| Organization | Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Technical Committee |
| URL | http://www.certc.ca/_pdf/WaterQualityReport-FinalReportSept07.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | On August 5, 2005, the Cheakamus River was affected by an accidental release of sodium hydroxide following a train derailment in the Cheakamus canyon approximately 15 km north of Squamish, British Columbia. The derailment resulted in the release of approximately 45,000 litres of sodium hydroxide into the Cheakamus River. Three water quality monitoring programs were implemented in order to determine if NaOH had affected water quality and included: (1)sampling of drinking water in wells within 100 meters of the river; (2) collection and analyses of water samples from the Cheakamus and Squamish rivers and the Squamish River Estuary to assess water quality in the context of recreational activities and protection of freshwater aquatic life; and, (3) surface water sampling during remediation of the spill site. Results of the emergency sampling program indicated NaOH was carried through the system but did not persist in the environment. The Cheakamus River was cleared for recreational purposes within 24 hours and the drinking water closure was lifted within 48 hours of the spill. Sampling during remediation activities indicated remedial activities did not affect water quality in the Cheakamus River. Lastly, a longer-term river pH monitoring program focusing on increased seasonal rainfall was implemented to evaluate if any NaOH residues remained which might affect pH in the Cheakamus River. Results of the above monitoring programs showed the effects of the spill were limited to a few hours after the event and that the hyperalkaline pulse was transient with normal pH conditions returning once the spill had moved through the system. |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Howe Sound & Sunshine Coast |
| Sub-watershed if known | Cheakamus River |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | |
| Contact Email |