Photo by Bateman Park community member Kelly Perrin
Early evening on July 3, 2024, firefighting foam from a nearby Abbotsford Fire Hall was accidentally spilled into the drainage system leaking into Stoney Creek.
At 6:30pm local community members of Bateman Dog Park noticed what was later identified as a foam additive called ‘Phos-Chek’, creating massive plumes of chemical foam throughout the creek and wreaking havoc on the aquatic life, flora, and fauna of the surrounding areas. Residents described a shocking one-kilometre stretch of the creek as having been killed off, where dozens of dead fish could be seen washed up along the banks.
In a statement to the public, the City of Abbotsford stated that firefighting foam was accidentally released from a disconnected hose, flowing into the storm drain and waterway.
B.C. Environment Ministry officials said on Friday, July 5, that the province is ensuring the city is taking steps necessary to clean up and recover from the spill. An investigation was launched shortly after, and Quantum Murray Environmental was hired to conduct water treatment systems in order to remedy the situation.
In subsequent conservation efforts, representatives from Semá:th First Nation, Stó:lō Guardians, Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance and GHD conducted a fish salvage to remove both live and deceased fish from the creek. A total of 1,448 live fish were collected and relocated to fresh water, and 922 deceased fish were removed.
The city is continuing its efforts to investigate and adjust procedures in hopes of rectifying the unfortunate incident.
You can read more about this incident from these news reports released by Global News, Vancouver Sun, and an update that was posted on July 12 by the City of Abbotsford.
Photo by Bateman Park community member Kelly Perrin
