UPDATE 5:45 p.m. – Testing is underway to determine how an unknown pink substance got into Guerin Creek near Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.

That is according to a statement from B.C.’s Ministry of Environment, which tells Radio NL the investigation will also try to identify what the substance is.

“Ministry staff collected samples of the substance and are working to identify it,” the statement said. “At this time, we believe that the discharge is occurring upstream to Thompson River University and there have been no reports of impacts to fish or wildlife.”

The Ministry says environmental officers will also follow up with a site visit to nearby businesses to try to identify the source of contaminant.

“The substance appears to be dissipating with no additional contaminants entering the creek at this time,” the statement added.

Allan Michener, the Environmental Services Supervisor, with the City of Kamloops told Radio NL the city is responding, but following the lead of the provincial government.

“Any time we have a situation like this where we see the release or a report of a spill of something especially into waterways, our first point of contact is to call the provincial spill reporting line and then seek ministry guidance because it is ultimately their jurisdiction,” Michener said.

“Civic Ops became aware of this spill in the early afternoon and that is exactly the process we followed and then we followed the guidance of the local provincial team here.”

In a statement Thompson Rivers University said the source of the unknown substance is believed to be upstream from the university, though the exact cause was not known.

“The Kamloops Spill Response and Kamloops Fire and Rescue teams have been deployed to Thompson Rivers University to conduct an investigation into an unknown substance being released in the vicinity of TRU, specifically in Guerin Creek,” the TRU statement said.

“A comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the root cause of the unknown substance release.”

The Ministry of Environment is encouraging people to report all spills and pollution to 1-800-663-3456.

.@KamFire Any update on why part of #GuerinCreek is pink now?#Kamloops pic.twitter.com/IFLCeTQ9z4

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) September 11, 2023