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City investigating mysterious milky water in Phillips Creek

The City of Burnaby is investigating a case of white, milky water in a local creek, thanks to the keen eyes of local residents.

The City of Burnaby is investigating a case of white, milky water in a local creek, thanks to the keen eyes of local residents.

Fred and Jenifer Cirillo walk regularly along the north side of Burnaby Lake, and they’ve noticed milky water in Phillips Creek off and on as far back as spring but didn’t think much of it. A couple of weeks ago, they noticed someone from the City of Burnaby inspecting the creek, and the city staff member told them he got a call about the water and recommended the couple call the city’s reporting line if they see anything unusual. Since then, Fred and Jenifer have been keeping a close eye on the waterway while out walking. They took pictures last Sunday, when the creek was running clear, and the next day found it had turned white again, so they called the city.

City investigating mysterious milky water in Phillips Creek_2

City investigating mysterious milky water in Phillips Creek_1

“There are days when it’s clear, and there are days when it’s very milky in here, and I’m just concerned as to what’s actually being dumped in Burnaby Lake,” Fred said. “This looks too silty to be something natural upstream. … On a bad day, it’s almost like somebody had dumped milk in there. It’s very milky.”

Phillips Creek is about a five minute walk through the park, west of Piper Spit. Its headwaters are close to Phillips Avenue and Government Road, which is mostly residential. It then runs underground along Phillips, through the trees by Burnaby Lake, then underneath the walking path and into the lake. 

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Dipak Dattani, the city’s deputy engineering director, said staff is investigating, but they haven’t pinpointed the source yet. Dattani said city staff checked the manhole covers on Phillips. By the time staff showed up Monday, the substance had diminished, so water samples were not taken again, Dattani said.

“We’re still investigating, broadening our search geographically,” Dattani said. “We’re looking for a source. Because the discharge is intermittent, we have to look at other ways to track it. … Staff are recommending broadening the search, and I’ve authorized it, but it will take a bit of time.”

It the meantime, Fred has concerns as a Burnaby resident, avid outdoorsman and a longtime employee of Albion Farms and Fisheries. 

“There will be no trout or salmon to sell if we don’t look after these little creeks,” he said. “We have this treasure in Burnaby Lake, this bog, and this bog is so important to the environment. … It’s encouraging to know steelhead and coho and are coming back to Brunette Creek.”

It’s illegal to introduce a harmful substance into fish bearing waters, and doing so can result in fines. Phillips Creek runs into Burnaby Lake, which flows into the Brunette River, home to the endangered Nooksack dace. Thanks to the efforts of local streamkeepers and the Sapperton Fish and Game Club, salmon have been returning to the watershed.

To report a spill, call 604-294-7460 immediately, and city environmental services officers can investigate.

In 2011, the NOW reported on a similar case in nearby Eagle Creek, and the site of the milky substance was east of Phillips Avenue.