Months into the cleanup, questions remain about a significant pollution incident
A significant fuel leak from an Irving gas station near Woodstock has released up to 100,000 litres of diesel into the environment, according to government documents obtained by CBC News.
The leak, discovered in December, originated from a cracked elbow pipe connected to an underground diesel storage tank. CBC News reported that the resulting contamination affected groundwater, forced the closure of a Tim Hortons and the Irving station, and posed potential risks to nearby residential wells.
Discovery and initial response
Concerns were first raised by residents and business patrons in November, who reported the smell and taste of fuel in water at the Beardsley Road Tim Hortons. The issue was officially identified on Dec. 12 when Tim Hortons filed an incident report with the province after detecting petroleum in its untreated water supply.
Following the discovery, the province ordered the immediate closure of the Tim Hortons, Murray’s Restaurant, and the Irving gas station. Environmental cleanup crews, including vacuum trucks, were deployed to remove contaminated groundwater. Initial estimates suggested the spill was around 5,000 litres, but subsequent assessments revealed a far more extensive leak.
Escalating concerns and cleanup efforts
By Dec. 23, officials estimated the leak to be between 50,000 and 100,000 litres. Government inspectors reported that early liquid recovery efforts consisted of nearly 90% diesel. On Dec. 24, an email from an environment department inspector expressed alarm over the magnitude of the spill, noting significant fuel contamination in nearby ditches and waterways.
Dillon Consulting was contracted by Irving Oil to lead remediation efforts. Cleanup crews installed barriers and berms along Beardsley Road and the Trans-Canada Highway to contain the spread. Vacuum trucks continue to operate months later, working around the clock to remove residual contamination.
Community and government response
Residents in the area have undergone multiple well-water tests. Ivan Tompkins, who lives 500 metres from the leak site, told CBC News that his water has tested negative for contamination but remains cautious. “They’ve tested my water at least three times,” he said. “So far, all the results have come back as negative. The water is still good.”
According to government documents, early tests of residential wells were expected to be clear, but long-term monitoring will be required. Irving Oil coordinated with the Town of Woodstock to secure municipal water access, enabling the reopening of the gas station and adjacent facilities.
Cleanup operations are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Department spokesperson Vicky Lutes stated that ongoing monitoring shows no current impact on offsite wells and a reduction in surface water contamination.
Despite continued cleanup efforts, questions remain about how the spill went undetected for so long.
