Oil spill in Oldman River cleaned up

Crews with the City of Lethbridge have completed work to remove thousands of litres of what's believed to be cooking oil from the Oldman River.

Officials told the media on Thursday the substance, that was found in the water on September 3, has been removed.

They add the storm water system is also clear of the contamination.

The city says between 3,500 to 4,500 litres of the substance was dumped into the sewer, but it's not clear how it got there.

Now that the material has been removed, the city says it's safe for people and animals to go back into the water.

Good news! The public (and dogs!) can resume swimming and boating in the Oldman River.

Our Water and Wastewater department has determined that the oily substance discovered on September 3 is no longer entering the river from the stormwater system. https://t.co/t5Sy51GWft pic.twitter.com/BJU4NdBEPE

— City of Lethbridge (@LethbridgeCity) September 12, 2019

Alberta Environment is conducting an investigation of the incident.