Officials say transport truck illegally dumped oil near Lloydminster water treatment plant

Authorities are searching for the driver of a transport truck that illegally dumped over 12 barrels-worth of oil north of Lloydminster.

City officials said nearly 2,000 litres were dumped into a culvert near the wastewater treatment plant on the Saskatchewan side of the border.

The spill was first reported around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

“We haven’t caught those responsible yet, but I’d really like to ask them why they would do something like this,” said Lloydminster Fire Chief Jordan Newton.

He added it’s the first time this has ever happened in the city.

“We don’t think it will happen again,” Newton said.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency has been notified and is monitoring the situation.

Officials said 95 per cent of the oil has been cleaned up.

“There should be no permanent environmental damage,” Newton said. “Everybody is working to turn the area back to the way it once was.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the City of Lloydminster Public Safety Office or Lloydminster RCMP.

“Whoever is caught will face very heavy fines,” Newton said.