The diesel cleanup continues at Southshore Park today along the Barrie lakeshore after the city says a spill happened during a train refuelling at the nearby Allandale Waterfront GO station.
Berms and other objects used to soak up toxins were still in the duck pond located between the Tiffin Boat Launch and the Southshore Centre on Monday morning in hopes of containing and soaking up the diesel fuel that leaked into Kempenfelt Bay from the train station across the road.
City of Barrie spokesperson Scott LaMantia said efforts are underway to contain the spill.
“We understand from speaking with Metrolinx staff that this spill occurred during refuelling of their trains,” LaMantia said in an email to BarrieToday. “The diesel entered the pond located between the Tiffin Boat Launch and the Southshore Centre through the stormwater system consisting of pipes underground that discharge to the pond.
"The cleanup effort is ongoing today in conjunction with the city’s contractor and will likely last a few days," he added.
BarrieToday contacted Metrolinx, which is the Crown agency that manages the rail line, for comment, but no one was available for comment prior to publication of this story.
It remains unclear exactly when the diesel spill occurred and how much fuel leaked into the lake. The cleanup has been underway since at least Saturday morning.
BarrieToday visited the scene on Monday morning and noticed there were visible signs of fuel on the surface as the water had a slick film on top.
Typically full of ducks, geese and other wildlife, the lakeshore pond was empty of any wildlife, although there was waterfowl outside the berms. However, the duck pond had no ducks swimming as usual.
It also remains unknown how much the cleanup will cost.
