Residents are asked to keep an eye out and be wary of any garbage bins that might be leaking unknown substances.
Town council heard during its June 20 meeting from Jim Hall, operations manager, that a report had been submitted regarding a leak from a garbage container that occurred on pavement in the south west district.
“This was brought in and reported to administration to let somebody know at the town that there was a spill of some green substance,” he told town officials.
“It was during the time when our contractor was picking up the garbage cans.”
The substance spilled unbeknownst to the operator, who was driving the route and could not see the leak as it was in a blind spot, he said.
“They didn't see anything spilling out of the containers.”
After investigating the report, Hall said the source of the leak was “narrowed down to the fact that it came out of a garbage can.”
The green substance was probably some kind of paint base, but town staff was unable to obtain a sample, he said.
“Out of this investigation, what we've done is put out a new press release to discuss to the residents what to do if they see something like this.”
While such a leak might sometimes merely be a nuisance spill, there is the potential for serious environmental damage, he said.
“This (green substance) did make it to the wastewater and storm sewer system. So if it was an oil base or something hydrocarbon, it could have catastrophic effects.”
So residents and business owners or staff who notice any out-of-the-ordinary substances or leaks emanating from garbage bins or any source are being urged to immediately call 911. The Sundre Fire Department will act as the first line of defence by deploying buffering agents in the event of a dangerous spill, he said.
Council carried a motion to accept Hall's report as information.
Visit sundre.com/waste-and-recycling for information on what to place — and what not to place — in the Town of Sundre's garbage, compost and recycling bins.
