Oil spill still causing problems for homeowners

The four oil tanks that were drained by thieves this week are continuing to cause headaches for Dartmouth homeowners and problems for the environment as well.

On Friday, oneday after he discovered his oil tank was spilling its load of furnace oil; excavators were at Kern Scott's house removing the contaminated earth.

Another worker was drilling a hole through the basement floor next to the furnace. It's all a little overwhelming for Scott.

"It's my worst nightmare as a homeowner," said Scott. "I would never wish this on anyone."

Scott, who was just recently laid off, said his insurance will cover the work, which could take months.

"If the oil has seeped under the foundation, then they have to rip up the foundation, the floors, and take out the soil from there so it's a major major job and a long process," said Scott.

Scott's home was one of four properties targeted by thieves who stole copper lines. At a recycling depot all four would be worth about $15.

Work crews were also digging up the ground where another tank was drained. Owner Greg Fong said he can't understand why thieves would do this when the consequences are so severe.

"It's highly irresponsible, these people have no idea what they've done to the environment," said Fong. "In cutting these lines they've put a lot of people at risk to health issues."

Meanwhile Halifax water crews brought in a vacuum truck to suck away some of the oil which made its way into a nearby stream through a storm drain.

The booms, pads and filtering of the stream seemed to be doing the job on Friday,but there is still oil flowing through into Red Bridge Pond and from theretravelling to Lake Mic Mac.

Clean-up crews are expected to be on site again on Saturday. The site will continue to be monitored and tested over the next few weeks.

Police have not yet received any tips and are continuing to ask the public for assistance.