City officials are still awaiting test results to identify an unknown substance found floating on the Sturgeon River on Wednesday.
The fire department was notified of a substance floating on the river over a large area near the Boudreau Bridge at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. As of Friday afternoon, the substance was still unknown. Acting city manager Guy Boston said test results were expected back soon.
“We're continuing our investigation,” Boston said.
Fire services and public works immediately responded to the scene, and Environment Canada and the RCMP were advised, said a news release the city issued Thursday.
Quantum Murray, environment spill emergency responders, went to the scene just after 9 p.m. Wednesday, and in conjunction with public works, placed booms in the river and the outfalls in the area. Three manholes were skimmed as well.
“When it was reported to us it was on Boudreau Bridge that someone had noticed it, and they saw it both upstream and downstream of the bridge, so at that point in time it was pretty widespread but we've narrowed it down to one or two outfalls,” Boston said Friday.
“The substance does not have any vapours, does not stick to anything and does not appear to be hydrocarbon based,” the city's release said.
Quantum Murray and Environment Canada are conducting the testing, said Marci Ng, a city communications advisor.
“The spill appears to have emanated from behind the St. Albert Centre or Canadian Tire,” said the release.
Boston said results identifying the substance will help narrow down where the substance came from.
