Chemicals exceed safe levels for aquatic life in water samples at Husky oil spill site

Some water samples taken from areas impacted by the Husky oil spill in the North Saskatchewan River have come back showing chemical levels that are still dangerous for animals.

On Wednesday, Saskatchewan's Water Security Agency released test results from 120 water surface samples taken from the river.

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16 of those turned up with high levels of chemicals dangerous to aquatic life.

During a media conference call Wednesday, the Ministry of Environment said 144 animals have died as a result of the oil spill. Those numbers break down as 93 wildlife deaths, and 51 aquatic life deaths.

Also of note, the Water Security Agency said one samplecame back showing conditions that were unsuitable for treated drinking water.

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That sample was taken on the northeast bank of the river near North Battleford.

Cleanup 73 per cent done: government

In total, the government said Husky has recovered 73 per cent of the estimated 225,000 litres of oil and solvent that spilled into the river on July 20 and 21. 84 per cent of the "high priority areas" have been cleaned.

Some of Husky's cleanup efforts will be temporarily suspended because of higher than average water levels caused by heavy rainfall west of Edmonton earlier in the week.

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The Water Security Agency expects water levels to rise by about two metres.

"Some [Husky] cleanup activities will be temporarily discontinued," said Wes Kotyk, executive director of the environmental protection branch of the Ministry of Environment. "Some of the shoreline infrastructure, things like some docks, launches, vehicle pads and booms are going to have to be removed from the area so that they don't get damaged with the high water."

Cleanup crew boats will also be removed from the river as a precaution.