The oil is headed for the city of North Battleford, which gets some of its drinking water from the river, according to the statement.
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The spill originates from a Husky Energy pipeline leak that is releasing oil into the North Saskatchewan River near Maidstone.
“We understand the water situation could be as long as two months”, Toye said Sunday.
In the meantime, Prince Albert is considering tapping into a storm retention pond that could provide up to five more days of water.
Water security is a concern as North Battleford’s treatment capabilities for groundwater are limited, and water usage in summer is high, said Sam Ferris, Saskatchewan’s executive director of environmental and municipal management services.
City workers are attempting to build a temporary pipeline to draw water from the South Saskatchewan River.
“We realize this has been a very challenging time for everybody, with the spill impacting people, the environment and local businesses”, said Al Pate, the company vice-president overseeing the response.
The city of Prince Albert declared a state of emergency on Monday after shutting off its water supply intake as the contaminated water inched closer and closer to the city. It also has a ground-water treatment plant.
“We need a deterrent”, he said.
We urge our residents to help us conserve water wherever they can!
The company said late on Thursday it shut and isolated a pipeline on its Saskatchewan Gathering System, after roughly 200,000 to 250,000 liters (1,258 to 1,572 barrels) of heavy oil and diluent spilled from the line, running into the North Saskatchewan River.
Husky has been working since last week to clean up the spill.
Wes Kotyk, from Saskatchewan’s Environment Ministry, said that four birds including a blue heron, a frog and a fish have been found dead as a result of the spill. He said Husky has established a program for recovery with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan.
The neighboring province of Alberta is considering pipeline options to bring crude oil from its tar sands to ocean ports, after a cross-border proposal that would have run through the U.S.to the Gulf of Mexico was shut down by the US government.
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Pate said Husky, which is controlled by billionaire Li, is in daily contact with communities and would cover unspecified costs.
