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Reporting Spills
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About SaskSpills

On this page:  information about the SaskSpills program and the Provincial Enforcement Centre Spill Report Line.

Numerous chemicals and other substances are being widely used, many of which, although they may enhance our quality of life, are highly hazardous and pose a threat to the environment, as well as to human, plant and animal well-being in the event of a spill.

• As Saskatchewan’s industrial base expands, the use, transportation and storage of these materials increases the potential for environmental contamination.  In order to better control these chemicals, The Environmental Spill Control Regulations require that spills of these substances be reported immediately.  The Act and regulations also require that spills be contained and properly cleaned up.  Listing of reportable substances and their quantities as found in the regulations.  All spills of products listed in The Environmental Spill Control Regulations exceeding the reporting limits including refined petroleum products that enter a main watercourse or navigable water body and all spills of refined products that occur while under transport must be reported to Saskatchewan Environment.
   

• The Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations require operators to take immediate steps to contain and clean up spilled upstream petroleum product.  Upstream petroleum product refers to crude oil, salt water, emulsions, condensates and/or natural gas liquids generated during exploration and production activities.  The regulations require an operator to notify the appropriate Saskatchewan Industry and Resources field office of upstream petroleum product spill(s), including but not limited to:

  • Any off-lease spills of upstream petroleum product, including spills during transport;

  • On-lease spills of upstream petroleum product greater than 1.6m³ (10 BBLS);

  • pipeline or flowline failure(s) including those with no loss of fluids; and

  • the operator must immediately report the spills to the appropriate field office in the most expeditious manner.  The initial notification must be followed by a written report within 30 days, which gives the spill site location, details of remedial steps taken, estimated product spilled and recovered and extent of pollution to the land, groundwater, surface water and air.

When pollutants are spilled into the environment, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment’s primary role is to ensure the safety of the public and protection of the environment.  In addition, the department will make sure that whoever is responsible for the spill contains it and cleans up the site.  The regulations are designed to safeguard the physical and living environment in the event of a release of hazardous materials. 

Spills may, in a broad sense, be determined as releases of pollutants into the natural environment originating from a structure, vehicle, or other container.  Spills must be reported immediately when the quantity of the material spilled equals or exceeds the reportable quantity set out in the Appendix to The Environmental Spill Control Regulations or when they cause, or may cause an adverse effect, including any of the following:

• impairment to the quality of the natural environment - air, water, or land;
• injury or damage to property or animal life;
• adverse health effects;
• safety risk;
• making property, plant, or animal life unfit for use;
• loss of enjoyment of normal use of property; or
• interference with the normal conduct of business.

Legislation: 

The Environmental Spill Control Regulations are designed to safeguard the physical and living environment in the event of a release of hazardous materials.  The regulations are pursuant to The Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2002.  Air releases or air quality problems due to spills fall under The Clean Air Act.

The Minister of the Environment is authorized to issue Orders for investigation, containment and cleanup of a spill and to ensure that they are carried out.  If the deadlines in an Order are not met, the Minister is authorized to have the work carried out and the responsible party billed.

Provincial Enforcement Centre Spill Report Line
Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment has staff who are trained in ascertaining and providing guidance on environmental spills. Staff are available around the clock through the centre to provide advice on reported spills.  When a spill is reported, they will confirm the adequacy of measures taken to contain and clean up the spill and/or give instructions on measures to be taken.

The centre also acts as a liaison with other agencies that might be affected.  For example, community officials, the provincial Emergency Measures Organization and the federal government. 

The Centre, staffed on a 24-hour basis, receives and records province-wide reports of spills and co-ordinates appropriate responses.  The spill response team is equipped to make on-site inspections, determine if appropriate measures are being taken during the cleanup operation and ensure that spilled materials are properly clean up and disposed of in an approved manner.

Reporting Spills, Releases and Emergencies
Any spill, release or emergency that may cause an adverse effect to the environment or pose a risk to public health or safety must be immediately reported.  Immediate reporting allows Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment to provide advice to take action in a timely fashion and communicate to first response teams and the responsible party to ensure that actions are taken quickly and to protect safety and the environment. After the incident has been concluded and made safe, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment will gather more information about the incident to determine the cause and how to prevent future releases. Reporting Discharges and Spills information factsheet.

What Information must I include in my report to the Provincial Enforcement Centre Spill Report Line?
If you believe you may have a spill or other environmental emergency, call the Provincial Enforcement Centre Spill Report Line Toll Free: 1-800-667-7525 and provide the following information:

• Your name, call back telephone number/fax number;

• Location and time of the spill (ie. City, town, address, highway number, land location, UTM coordinates, LSD, etc.);

• Shipper name/consignee/point of origin;

• Type and quantity of pollutant spilled (UNPN if applicable, product name, volume spilled);

• A description of the spill site and immediately surrounding area (soil type, on or near surface water, drainage characteristics, groundwater depth, proximity to dwellings, location of domestic service lines, etc.);

• What Agencies have responded and who is on scene at present

• Local weather conditions (wind direction and speed, rain, snow, etc.);

• The names of all persons notified of the spill;

• The known causes and effects of the spill;

• First response and remedial actions that have taken place with respect to the spill (containment work at time of spill); and

• Any further action or work that is contemplated or required (details of cleanup and restoration procedures, and details of disposal including location and procedures).

Emergency Response

The objectives of an emergency response operation are to:

• ensure the safety of the first responders;
• ensure the safety of the public;
• protect property; and
• protect the environment.

Cleanups and Costs
The objectives of a cleanup operation are:

• to prevent further discharge of the pollutants;

• to contain the spilled pollutant;

• to minimize the effects of the spill; and

• to restore the affected area and the environment as near as possible to pre-spill conditions.

The owner and/or person with control of the commodity released at the time of the spill, is responsible for ensuring that any potentially affected third parties are notified of the spill.  This includes notification of all owners of property potentially affected by the spill, including those instances where the person responsible for the spill leases property from someone else.

The owner of the pollutant and/or the person with control of the commodity at the time of the spill, is responsible for the cleanup and potential damage claims.  Saskatchewan Environment will provide assistance by determining if the measures you propose are adequate and/or outline further actions to be taken.  For large and complicated cleanup operations, the department may require that you retain expert consultants.  The disposal of the spilled pollutant and of material it has contaminated, must be approved in advance by Saskatchewan Environment. 

Written Reports
Whenever a spill occurs as defined in the regulations it must be reported to Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment by calling 1-800-667-7525.  If the spill exceeds defined maximum limits, the responsible party will be required to submit a written spill report (Word version) within seven days.  The written report must:

• Confirm the information contained in the initial telephone report;

• Contain the names of persons notified of the spill;

• Outline the known causes and effects of the spill; and

• State what actions have been taken and any further work that is contemplated or required.