Community update on fuel seepage

02/13/2024

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK), in collaboration with Environmental Health Services (EHS) of Kahnawake Shakotiiatakehnhas Community Services (KSCS), is providing an important update to the community regarding the mitigation and response efforts in light of the detection of fuel seepage on Friday, February 9th. 

Through the vigilant work of the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) and the EHS teams, initial efforts to mitigate and respond to the incident in the Zachary Road area were of the utmost priority, including containing as much of the contaminants in the affected area. Equally important was ensuring nearby residents received information and details of the situation, a process that commenced on Monday after the initiation of mitigation efforts over the weekend.

Highlighted lines outline areas of confirmed fuel contaminants

Following the initial response, it was determined that fuel had seeped into the Suzanne River. KEPO crews began monitoring affected portions of the river. Subsequently, it was identified that there was also fuel seepage into the Suzanne River from an upstream source.

The following confirmations have been established up to this point:

• The quantity of fuel accumulated on the residential lot on Zachary Road is too substantial for the leak′s origin to be a residential issue.
• Removal of fuel in the residential area from the Territory is ongoing.
• The MCK has informed Environment Canada and Environment Quebec about a site in Chateauguay with fuel seepage into the Suzanne River.
• The MCK has communicated with the City of Chateauguay regarding these concerns.
• Of all residences examined in the affected area so far, one residence currently exhibits heightened levels of air contaminants within the premises.
• Following two days of testing, there is no indication of contamination in any well water.
• Households connected to town water remain unaffected.

Details regarding the source(s) of the fuel in the river remain unknown for the Zachary Road area. The MCK, KEPO, and EHS are actively working to determine the source, extent, and impacts of the contamination. The MCK and KEPO are in communication with Environment Canada, Environment Quebec, and professional contractors specializing in contamination response. This information will be utilized to formulate immediate remediation and long-term monitoring and management plans.

The MCK and KSCS are dedicated to ongoing monitoring, proactively communicating with authorities and community members, and implementing mitigation measures. For information on the use or consumption of water and indoor air quality, please contact EHS at 450-635-9945. Inquiries regarding the environmental aspects of the issue can be directed to KEPO by calling 450-635-0600.