Spills

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Spills of hazardous materials including diesel, gasoline, and used oil, can be harmful to people, property, wildlife and the environment. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) is responsible for coordinating the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) investigation of hazardous material spills in communities and along the Territorial Highway system.  Several other agencies are also responsible for conducting spill investigations and monitoring their clean up.  For more information, on lead agencies for spills in the NWT click here.

Spilled diesel from a truck near Hay River, NT

Section 5.1 of the Environmental Protection Act states:

Where a discharge of a contaminant into the environment occurs, the owner or person in charge, management or control must:

• report the discharge (to the 24-Hour Spill Report Line);
• stop the discharge and repair any damage (clean up); and
• notify adversely affected public.

Spill Reporting

Heating oil spill in Ulukhaktok, NT

Spills must be immediately reported to the 24-Hour Spill Report Line by calling (867) 920-8130 (collect calls are accepted), by using the Spill Report Form, by fax at (867) 873-6924 or by email at spills@gov.nt.ca. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) maintains a database of hazardous material spills reported to the 24-Hour Spill Report Line. To search the Hazardous Materials Spills Database, click here.

Additional Resources

• Environmental Protection Act
• Spill Contingency Planning and Reporting Regulations
• A Guide to the Spill Contingency Planning and Reporting Regulations 
• Lead Agencies for Spills in the NWT
• Hazardous Materials Spill Database
• 2010 NWT Spills Report
• Spill Report Form
• Homeowners Guide to Oil Tanks
• Check Your Heating Fuel Tank

The Homeowner's Guide to Oil Tanks
An improperly installed or maintained oil tank can leak or spill unexpectedly, often costing in the tens of thousands of dollars, and be harmful to people, the environment and your property.  This Guide is intended to: act as a pollution prevention measure; alert home building and property owners about the potential and financial liability of an oil spill; and provide some simple, practical steps that can minimize the chances of an oil spill.  Help prevent a spill, check your oil tank regularly.

NWT Lead Investigating Agencies for Spills on Land in the NWT

• The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is the lead agency in dealing with spills on Commissioner's Land, Territorial highways and in communities.
• Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) is the lead agency in dealing with spills at facilities authorized under federal legislation and sections of Territorial highways on ice surfaces and for spills on Territorial (Crown) lands in the NWT.
• Environment Canada is responsible for dealing with spills at federal facilities, other than those authorized under federal legislation, and spills in National Parks.
• The National Energy Board (NEB) is responsible for spills at oil and gas exploration and production facilities.
• The Inuvialuit Land Administration is responsible for spills on land in the NWT set aside under the Inuvialuit Land Claim Agreement.

NWT Lead Investigation Agencies for Spills on Water in the NWT

• Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) is responsible for spills on water in the NWT.
• Transport Canada is the Lead Investigating Agency for all ship source spills.
• The Canadian Coast Guard is the Lead Response Agency ensuring spills from ships and barges (including Oil Handling Facility re-supply) and mystery spills on water are addressed.
• The National Energy Board is responsible for spills on water at oil and gas exploration and production facilities.