Toxic chemical spill in St Clair River

Up to 147,600 litres of toxic chemicals leaked into the St Clair River across the border near Sarnia, Ontario, yesterday forcing the closure of water plants serving tens of thousands of people.

The leak was reported on Sunday morning at an Imperial Oil plant south of Sarnia, in an area known as Chemical Valley. It was later contained.

Authorities warned communities near the spill to close off water intakes while the water was tested.

Water from the St Clair River flows into Lake St Clair and then into the Detroit River and on into Lake Erie.