Strong odour in Delta due to gas leak during ‘controlled’ release: FortisBC

A “strong odour” in Delta area Tuesday was the result of a minor leak identified during a “controlled release of gas,” FortisBC says.

The gas utility says the odour was detected around 12:30 p.m. at the company’s Interconnect Station near Ladner Trunk Road and 80th.

“FortisBC was conducting a controlled release of gas and identified a minor leak, which is now under control and we will be starting necessary repairs,” Jessica Skjeveland, corporate communications advisor, major projects, told CityNews. “The leak contained a high concentration of odorant (mercaptan) that we add to natural gas so in an unlikely event of a leak you can smell it.”

The company says its gas is naturally odourless but it adds mercaptan — a pungent chemical — to its gas system so leaks can be detected.

“Mercaptan is derived from naturally occurring compounds like hydrogen sulfide, which has a strong smell even in very low concentrations,” Skjeveland, said.

During the interview, Skjeveland said was working to determine the best way to stop the leak.

“The next step is to stop the gas leak and start repairs. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause residents and commuters in the area. We realize the odor is very strong but it is expected to dissipate,” Skjeveland said.

Mayor says residents ‘left in the dark’ about gas odour

The way the issue was communicated is being criticized by Delta Mayor George Harvie.

Earlier in the day, Delta police had assured the public that the odour in the Ladner area was nothing to worry about, citing FortisBC.

“We have been advised by FortisBC that the strong odour being noted in Ladner is a result of a controlled odorant release,” police said in a social media post just after 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Police had initially said there were no health or safety concerns, but that line was later removed.

Harvie says it is “unacceptable” that residents and businesses weren’t told what was going on. In a statement online, he questioned why FortisBC took four hours to make a public statement after initial reports of the odour.

“This is an egregious oversight by FortisBC, who have a responsibility to inform the public about any leaks or deficiencies,” he said. “The stress and panic that this incident caused to both the public and our first responders was completely unnecessary.”

He went on to say he is asking the City Manager to conduct a full review into the incident, what caused it, and why it took hours for the utility to report it.

“FortisBC must be accountable for their delay in response causing confusion and alarm in our community,” he said.

CityNews received several calls from people reporting a strong smell of a gas and rotten eggs in the area.

“We’ve got all our doors closed. We can’t go outside right now. It’s really powerful,” one woman told CityNews.