Update on contamination incident in Marsh Creek
Administrator | May 14, 2026 | Comments 4
UPDATE MAY 14: The County has updated the current status of the Marsh Creek contamination incident Tuesday, May 5.
Remediation to date has included:
Immediate deployment of adsorbent booms at several locations along Marsh Creek and at the outflow to Picton Bay on Monday, May 5. This occurred as soon as staff were notified of the spill. All available County materials were deployed. Additional materials were deployed by a remediation contractor.
All affected catch basins were cleaned out and pressure washed by a remediation contractor.
Skimming of sheen was undertaken from numerous points along the creek and in the bay.
Testing was completed at the outflow during the spill to understand the nature of the contamination. Staff determined the material was diesel fuel from a spill on Picton Main Street near the intersection of Bowery Street.
Proactive testing of the water is ongoing. Visual and olfactory (smell) evidence from an inspection conducted on May 13 showed that the majority of the spill has been removed, adsorbed, or dissipated. Environmental samples have been collected to confirm this observation. Additional surface water testing will be undertaken as recommended by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
Given the absence of free phase petroleum from the creek, adsorbent booms are no longer required for environmental protection. The booms will be removed in the next few days pending contractor availability. This approach has been endorsed by MECP staff.
Drinking water supplied by the Picton Water Treatment Plant remains safe for consumption. Monitoring of the water supply will continue throughout the incident response.
MECP is investigating the cause of the spill. Anyone with information is asked to contact MECP by filing a report online or calling 1.866.663.8477.You can remain anonymous.
For more information, contact the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148 ext. 1023, 613.962.9108 ext. 1023, or info@pecounty.on.ca
UPDATE MAY 7: A crew has completed its clean up of the road and catch basins on Picton Main Street where a fuel spill occurred and containment measures continue to be in place in the Marsh Creek Picton area and the mouth of Picton Harbour.
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) remains on site and is currently investigating the cause of the spill. Anyone with information is asked to contact MECP by filing a report online or calling 1.866.663.8477. You can remain anonymous.
UPDATED MAY 6: The municipality has identified the source of the contamination as a fuel spill near the intersection of Picton Main and Bowery streets. The fuel entered the stormwater system and flowed to Marsh Creek.
Containment measures continue to be in place in the Marsh Creek area.
“Upon notification, municipal staff attended the site and immediately implemented containment measures. At this time, the situation is considered contained,” states Mark Kerr, the County’s Communications and Consultation Supervisor. “Drinking water supplied by the
Picton Water Treatment Plant remains safe for consumption. Monitoring of the water supply will continue throughout the incident response.”
Kerr stated the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has been notified and is on site working alongside municipal operations, fire services, and water and wastewater department personnel to assess and manage the situation.
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is currently investigating the cause of the spill. Anyone with information is asked to contact MECP by filing a report online or calling 1.866.663.8477. You can remain anonymous.
For more information, contact the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148 ext. 1023, 613.962.9108 ext. 1023, or info@pecounty.on.ca
Environmental consultants have been engaged to support cleanup efforts, and both field sampling and further investigation are underway in accordance with provincial direction.
“The municipality recommends residents keep their pets away from this area of Marsh Creek in Delhi Park through to the south side of Picton Harbour to just east of the County boat launch.”
Filed Under: Local News
@KB The municipality states, that for more information, contact the County of Prince Edward at 613.476.2148 ext. 1023, 613.962.9108 ext. 1023, or info@pecounty.on.ca
I called the MECP number above – they weren’t interested in talking to me. Didn’t take a report or make notes. Almost like they didn’t want to even speak with me and I was made to feel like a nuisance. I was repeatedly redirected to the County. So, who in the County, should I contact? This is ridiculous.
No signs posted along the walking paths or anywhere to advise people to keep away and keep pets away.
Extremely alarming – property owners and pedestrians could not only smell gasoline fuel, but also could see it flowing in the Delhi Creek, out to the Bay. It’s perplexing, because it was a significant amount of gasoline in the water. Not just a small amount, which raises more questions. How can we find out more about this and who is responsible? Will the details be made public and ultimately, who flips the bill for the costs to remediate? Will more sampling be done and how will it be prevented in future?