CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE WELLS PROTECTION PLAN

March 2015
City of Prince George Well Protection Plan
3.3 The Threat of Physical Impacts with City Wells
As previously mentioned, two of the City’s wells, PW602 and PW605, are in very close proximity to the tracks
themselves (within approximately 23 m and 92 m respectively). This puts these wells at risk from a direct
collision if a train were to derail. Based on the sheer mass of the train cars, with or without any accompanying
explosions or fires, it is possible the pump house, its contents, or its controlling mechanisms would be
destroyed or rendered inoperable.
There is also the possibility that the pumping mechanisms themselves may continue to function. If a resulting
spill were to occur with the pumps still operable, there is presently no remote means of shutting down the
pumps and preventing the wells from pumping hazardous materials directly into the City’s water supply from
the exposed well casing. Furthermore, the sodium hypochlorite used to chlorinate the water supply and/or the
fuel for the back-up diesel units in both PW605 and PW602 could also potentially spill or be pumped at an
unregulated rate into the water supply system in this scenario. In addition there is potential for all spilled
contents from CN rail stock to directly enter the well casing in this impact scenario.
3.4 Other Threats
There are other additional threats to the aquifer which must be considered and are discussed in the following
subsections.
Upstream Contamination
It is extremely difficult to mitigate all the risks posed by upstream contamination on a major river system.
However, typically, the further away a spill/leak occurs, the more time emergency staff will have to instigate
defensive plans and procedures such as turning off the well pumps. However, investigation of spill potential
upriver of the City is beyond the scope of this study. The threat from this spill source has been identified in
Section 3 of this document as a potential future study need.
Application of Track Maintenance Chemicals
In 2003, Golder Associates Ltd. published a report identifying a risk of contamination from “herbicides that may
be applied to the right-of-way and creosote used to preserve the railway ties.” However, there was little to no
data to quantify these potential risk factors. In addition, there is no evidence to suggest that this issue was
investigated further.
The City requested data from CN regarding the use of any track maintenance chemicals in February 2014. In
August 2014, CN informed the City that they employ professional herbicide application companies, but
currently the City has received no additional information from CN.
The purpose of gathering this data is to develop a comprehensive picture of the chemical types (including
quantities and frequency of application) which could potentially leach into the groundwater within the
Groundwater Protection Area. This information will allow the City to knowledgeably assess the risks posed by
these chemicals and, in partnership with CN, look at potential mitigation measures. These measures could
range widely from the implementation of new bylaws to a request for the use of more environmentally-friendly
products.
Track Switch
User errors are often a major cause of accidents when trains are required to switch to a different track. Outside
of the CN Yard itself, there appears to be only one switch in the subject area, which is located near the Mile
5.35 grade crossing (see Figure 25). Currently, there is no information on how frequently this switch is used.
The switch and signals are owned by CN and located near a private crossing into a decommissioned sawmill,
while the side track and facility are privately owned by a concrete production company.
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