Interior Health has put out a notification, warning a popular area of the North Shuswap that their drinking water may be tainted, following a massive diesel spill.

The health authority is advising those living in Scotch Creek north of the main marina area to keep tabs on their well water for the next while, as there are concerns about it becoming contaminated after some 15,000 litres of diesel was spilled on Tuesday evening.

Information from the Ministry of Environment and Parks indicates that some 15,000 litres of diesel was somehow spilled as part of a transfer operation at the Co-op Cardlock facility on Squilax-Anglemont Road at around 7:30pm on Tuesday evening, May 5th.

After an initial assessment from the Ministry of Environment and Parks, Interior Health has now put out an advisory for locals in the area, warning of the potential impacts of the spill.

“[Interior Health] is recommending individuals who rely on private wells for drinking water to monitor their water for possible impacts,” stated the health authority in a release put out to media late Thursday morning. “Diesel fuel has a very distinct odour and can be detected at very low concentrations in drinking water.”

The area impacted by this would be most of the community in the area running down to Shuswap Lake, including the Captain’s Village Marina and the various homes and cabins along the lakefront.

The vast majority of the properties in the area source their drinking water from wells which siphon up water from Shuswap Lake, with Interior Health estimating that around 200 properties might be impacted by this.

“If you notice any fuel odour or visible fuel (oily sheen – rainbow-colored film), IH recommends using an alternate water source for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, food preparation and bathing,” stated the Health Authority in its release.

The area impacted would be the vast majority of the community running south along a line which would encompass Kenwood Gate, Butters Road and Saratoga Road.

What’s not clear is how long the potential impact from the diesel spill may last.

“This is a precautionary measure, to the more than 200 private well users in the area, based on current information,” stated Interior Health in its release.

“We understand this may be concerning and IH will continue to closely monitor this situation in consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Parks,” added the health authority.

“We will provide updates as more information is available.”

What’s also not clear is how the spill itself took place.

Information from the Ministry of Environment and Parks is clear that those who are responsible for the spill — only identified as the ‘fuel transport company’ — will be on the hook financially for it.

As it stands now, federal and first nations interest are also said to be included in the response.

This includes the Ministry of Environment and Parks, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and Interior Health on the provincial side, while Environment and Climate Change Canada [formerly Environment Canada] is involved from the federal side, while the First Nation health Authority and the Skwlāx Band [Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band] is also being consulted on the spill as well.