A “strong odor” that occurred at Delta’s Ladner area on Tuesday was the result of a small leak identified during a “controlled release of gas,” Fortis BC said.
The gas utility said the odor was detected at its interconnect station near 80 Ladner Main Road around 12:30 p.m.
“FortisBC is conducting a controlled release of gas and has identified a minor leak. It is now under control and we will begin any necessary repairs,” said Jessica Skjebrand, Corporate Communications Advisor for Major Projects. he told City News. “Leaks contain high concentrations of odorants (mercaptans), which are added to the natural gas so you can smell them in the unlikely event of a leak.”
The company says its gas is naturally odorless, but it adds mercaptan, an irritant chemical, to the gas system so it can detect leaks.
“Mercaptans are derived from natural compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and have a strong odor even at very low concentrations,” Skjebrand says.
FortisBC said it is working to determine the best way to stop the leak.
“The next step is to stop the gas leak and begin repairs. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to those who live nearby and commute to work. We understand that the odor is extremely strong. “However, the odor is expected to go away,” Skjeveland said.
Meanwhile, Delta Mayor George Harvey said it was “unacceptable” that residents and businesses were not informed of what was happening. In an online statement, he questioned why it took Fortis BC four hours to issue a public statement after the initial reports about the odor.
“This is a gross oversight by FortisBC, which is responsible for informing the public about leaks and deficiencies,” he said. “The stress and panic this incident caused both the public and first responders was completely unnecessary.”
He went on to say he is calling on the city manager to thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident and why it took four hours for the utility company to report it.
“FortisBC must be held accountable for the delayed response that caused confusion and alarm in our community,” he said.
Delta Police had earlier in the day assured the public that the odor in the Radnor area was not a cause for concern.
“We have received a report from Fortis BC that the strong odor being noted in Radnor is the result of a controlled release of odorants,” police said in a social media post Tuesday just after 3 p.m. .
Police initially said there were no health or safety concerns, but those concerns were later withdrawn.
City News received several calls from people reporting a strong smell of gas and rotten eggs in the area.
“We’re closing all the doors. We can’t go outside right now. It’s really powerful,” one woman told City News.