Estimated size of Pennwest pipeline spill in northern Alberta grows

LITTLE BUFFALO, Alta.—Estimates of the size of a pipeline spill in northern Alberta have grown dramatically.

Pennwest Exploration says between 400,000 and 600,000 litres of salty waste water escaped from the pipeline.

That’s in addition to 5,000 litres of oil originally reported.

The spill is about 20 kilometres from the aboriginal community of Little Buffalo.

It is affecting a swampy area of muskeg and wetlands.

There are conflicting reports on the size of the area and any impact on waterways.