The ducks and other wildlife that call the Crescent Park serpentine home were evacuated Thursday night after an unknown substance was found in the water.
At approximately 6 p.m. Thursday night, Vamp Oil Field Services Inc. was called to the park to begin the cleanup process and help determine what the substance is.
Jody Hauta, director of Parks and Recreation, said at this time the material found in the serpentine is still unknown, however, samples have been sent off to a lab for testing.
He said until those results come back and the substance is identified, it is unknown what the extent of the cleanup will be.
At this time, Hauta said there are two outside firms working at the site, Vamp Oil Field Services and Acme Environmental Services.
He said the city has also been in touch with Saskatchewan Environment, which has provided information on how to deal with the situation and the cleanup itself.
Hauta said the two companies would continue to work on the site will continue today if needed.
Depending on what the substance is determined to be, he said the cleaning of the rocks, pumps and surrounding trees may be the city's next step.
In an effort to stop the substance from passing through the drain located at the east end of the park near the Phyllis Dewar outdoor pool, oil-absorbent booms have been placed across the retaining wall, Hauta explained.
He said added absorbent pads have also been placed sporadically throughout the serpentine.
Although it has yet to be determined exactly where the substance came from, Hauta reminds people not to dump harmful substances down the city's storm drains.
"Storm drains eventually find their way into water sources and water bodies. For example, the serpentine goes over at the retaining wall and works its way into the Moose Jaw River."
As well, Hauta said the serpentine itself is fed by storm drains.
For the safety of the wildlife in the area, Hauta said workers have been trying to keep them out of the water.
"What we had done for the ducks was turn on the irrigation so that they could have some water and the grass would be wet for them. Also we had brought over some feed to try and accommodate them on the shore."
Hauta said at this time the police have not been involved in the city's investigation.
Lyndsay McCready can be reached at 691-1256.
Company workers skimming substance off water
Ryan Buckton of Vamp Oil Field Services Inc., said the company's workers are skimming the unknown substance off the top of the water of the Crescent Park serpentine.
Buckton said the local company had also done its best to contain the substance to one area of the serpentine.
Once the waste has been contained and removed, he said the company would then take it to the local lagoons. At the time of the interview, Buckton said the substance was coming off the water quite well.
He said from what he could tell, the waste wasn't hazardous and looked to be more like a grease substance sitting on top of the water.
Buckton predicted the cleanup would take part of today.
He said when it comes to a spill such as that at the serpentine, the main concern becomes the wildlife and keeping them safe.
"We don't want to see any of the animals get hurt."
- McCready
