Hazardous material spills can occur on land or in water. They involve substances such as chemicals, radiation, biohazard materials, oil and gas, propane, flammable materials, industrial products and mixed waste. On this page, you’ll find resources on how to be prepared for a hazardous material spill.
How to Be Prepared
- Develop an emergency plan
- Put together an emergency kit
- Connect with your neighbours
- View: PreparedBC Neighbourhood Preparedness Guide
During a Hazardous Material Spill
A hazardous material spill into water may affect community water systems in the Thompson-Nicola region. If you are part of a privately owned and operated community water system, check with the provider for information. If you are part of a TNRD owned and operated water system:
- Register to Voyent Alert! to receive notifications for any impacts to a TNRD Community Water System
- Follow Interior Health, or visit: interiorhealth.ca
- Follow the TNRD on Facebook and Twitter for Community Water System updates during a hazardous material situation
- For questions, contact the TNRD Utility After-Hours Emergency Phone Line: 250-318-7515
Sometimes an accident may cause a hazardous material to enter the air. You may be told to “shelter-in-place” instead of evacuating.
- Go indoors and stay there
- Close all outside and inside doors
- Close all windows
- Do not use kitchen or bathroom vents
- Set thermostats so air conditioners, furnaces and hot water heaters do not come on
- Do not use fireplaces. Close all dampers
- Do not operate the clothes dryer
- Stay in an inside room as far away from windows and doors as possible
- Avoid smoking as it contaminates the air
- Do not leave the building until told to
Report a Hazardous Material Spill
If you become aware of a hazardous material spill, report it.
- Call toll-free 1-800-663-3456 24 hours a day
- If the spill is in international waters, call 1-800-OILS-911