Premier Brad Wall told he's not needed yet in Prince Albert, North Battleford

Officials inPrince Albert and North Battleford have asked Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall not to come to their citieson Thursday, as they deal with the immediate challenges of theoil spill aftermath.

That put a halt to Wall's plan, announced earlier in the day Wednesday, to tourcommunities affected by the releaseof up to 250,000 litres of oil and solvent into the North Saskatchewan River last week.

Officials with Wall's office said both the city of Prince Albertand North Battleford were "appreciative" of the premier's offer andare "satisfied"with the provincial supports received todate.

The officialsalso said the premier will make the tripin the near future.

Speaking to reporters,Prince Albert Mayor GregDionnesaid Wall and Minister of Government Relations JimReiterare not required on the ground at this time.

"The City of Prince Albert is focused on the operational side of the response right now,"Dionnesaid.

"We believe these two officials will serve us better in Regina as they continue to supply the city with all the necessary support needed. I expressed to the premier that I will invite him at a later date to visit the city, and he has accepted that."

Brad Wall on the Husky Energy oil spill

8 years ago

Duration 18:27

Saskatchewan premier discusses efforts to stop the spread of oil in the North Saskatchewan River

Meanwhile,Dionne saidhe had a "very productive conversation" with Husky's CEO on Wednesday, addingthat the company responsible for an oil spill in Saskatchewan will be coming to the city on Thursday.

Dionne said the city received three commitments from Husky on Wednesday:

• No. 1: "Husky will have an official station in Prince Albert tomorrow. So we'll have a direct link with Husky. We'll no longer be having conference calls. They have a senior official travelling here and will stay while this event is going on."
• No. 2: "Husky insurance company has already arrived, and is setting up in P.A. and will start processing claims both from the city and businesses that are affected."
• No. 3: Husky is paying for the "the foremost expert on oil and water," Dionne said. "He will be in our city on Saturday and Sunday to meet with myself and city officials to discuss the oil situation, and he thinks he has a solution to the intake. He believes he has developed the equipment that can be installed in an intake to stop the oil from entering into our system."

Dionne went on to say the possible solution to keeping oil from entering the water treatment plant would be a "big, big savior".

There will be no cost to the city.

• Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall calls Husky oil spill 'terrible situation'
• Husky oil cleanup will be bigger, longer than predicted, says Prince Albert mayor
• Oil spills happening at a rate of about 2 per day in Saskatchewan: researcher

Emergency pipeline efforts

Prince Albert city manager Jim Toye said a 30-kilometre waterline from the South Saskatchewan River to feed clean water to its treatment plant is nearly complete.

"The pipe has all been laid down. They are going to be hooking up the pumps and we still want to have that up and operating by late this week," Toye said.

As of Tuesday at 5 p.m., Toye said the city has been working with a backup water supply from a storm retention pond.

"We are finding it has been a very, very good source of water," he said. "It's very high-calibre water, safe potable water that's going through the water treatment plant, and safe for our citizens to drink."

Toye said the city would have been without water as of today if it wasn't for such alternative measures. He added the city has never used such a source before and it is working well.

"We have had very good support from the business community and our residents in reducing their water consumption, and we want to stress how important that is to continue until we have an additional resource," Toye said.

There is a $1,000 fine plus a $400 surcharge for violating the city's strict water restrictions.

"Our goal is that we not give one ticket and so far that's where we've been."