Oil is seen on the North Saskatchewan river near Maidstone, Sask on Friday July 22, 2016.
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On Dec. 30, less than three gallons of oil spilled about 3.7 miles south of the North Saskatchewan River.
City officials say temporary lines drawing water from the South Saskatchewan River and the Little Red River are working, so residents can also wash their cars and water their lawns.
Prince Albert, Sask., has partially lifted some of the water restrictions that were put in place following the Husky oil spill on the North Saskatchewan River.
Last week in Regina, when asked if we should be concerned about safety of pipelines, Wall said he was hesitant to answer the question, because his comments made in Yukon were about the response and, “secondly, I answered the question about pipeline safety and that’s the only part that got coverage, along with some intended criticism”.
The premier first responded to the spill while he was in the Yukon for a gathering of the country’s premiers, when he was asked by a reporter, “can we get your thoughts on the pipeline spill heading towards North Battleford?”
Duane McKay, Saskatchewan’s commissioner of emergency management, says the line crosses a highway in several places.
A temporary line to bring water to the city was being disinfected Thursday and was expected to be operating by Monday.
The cities have been relying on stored water in reservoirs and building temporary above-ground lines to other water sources.
Easing the restrictions means auto washes, laundromats and other businesses which shut down after the spill can reopen. Options include pre-treatment before it enters its water treament plant, or enhancement of the treatment plant.
“It’s not built to remove hydrocarbons as it is right now”, Toye said about the plant.
Husky Energy and the province both say the cause of the spill is still under investigation. Close to 50 wildlife deaths have been reported by the province, but a species breakdown was not available.
The government has said it expects Husky to submit that full report within 90 days of the pipeline breach.
Husky Energy conducts monthly tests with a device that travels through the pipeline looking for flaws, and inspects the pipeline every two years.
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Wall said he doesn’t know whether better regulation and enforcement would have prevented the spill.
