Pipeline leak near Sarnia releases diesel bound for Hamilton, Toronto

SARNIA, Ont.—Sun-Canadian Pipe Line shut its pipeline near Vidal St. and Churchill Rd. in Sarnia after instrumentation detected a release of ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD).

Sun-Canadian’s monitoring system immediately alerted staff who rapidly responded with the closing of the line.

Another portion of Sun-Canadian’s line was also closed in what the company described as a precaution.

The Chemical Valley Emergency Control Organization (CVECO) protocol was enacted, including the precautionary closure of the Vidal St. sluice gate and the deployment of booms to the St. Clair River.

The Sarnia Observer is reporting the leak has not reached the St. Clair River.

To ensure the most effective mitigation of a limited release of ULSD into the river, Sun-Canadian says it has begun comprehensive water sampling to determine the extent of the release and to measure the effectiveness of the clean-up efforts.

The company says first responders and equipment on-site have contained the release.

Sun-Canadian says it has notified the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and the Eastern Canada Response Corp. (ECRC) spill team.

Sun-Canadian Pipe Line transports refined petroleum products for its owners from refineries in the Sarnia area to marketing plants in London, Hamilton and Toronto.