A tanker truck that left Highway 88 north of Slave Lake has leaked nearly 15,000 litres of diesel fuel into the soil of Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.
“On August 17, at 9:10 a.m., the Slave Lake RCMP and fire department responded to single vehicle collision on Highway 88 about 6 kilometres north of Slave Lake,” said a media advisory penned by Constable Noland Blake of the local RCMP detachment. “A tanker truck carrying approximately 49, 600 litres of diesel fuel lost control and rolled onto its side. The collision did cause a major rupture in one of the tanks, spilling approximately 14,000 litres of diesel fuel.”
Alberta Environment and conservation officers were quickly notified and attended the scene. Highway 88 was closed and traffic diverted through the Devonshire Beach road until it was deemed safe for traffic to proceed through a single lane. Conservation officers advised police of six natural water springs in the area, the RCMP report states, but it is unknown at this time if there has been any contamination.
Josh Stewart of Alberta Environment commented on the cleanup at the site of the accident, saying it could take several weeks to properly clean the site.
“At this point, it is hard to say just how long it will take,” said Stewart. “ Information is still coming in, but we are looking at roughly two weeks.”
There were no injuries as a result of the collision and the accident is still under investigation.

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