Background

In May/June 2022, a fuel leak was discovered at the Lhtako Gas and Convenience Store (LGCS). The Lhtako Gas and Convenience Store is operated by Lhtako Gas and Convenience Store Ltd. (LGCL, a corporation wholly owned by Lhtako Dene Nation).  The origin of the fuel leak is believed to be related to the installation of new fuel storage tanks at the site in December 2020. LGCL has estimated that a volume of 105,000 litres of premium gasoline may have been released over the period of December 2020 to May/June 2022 when the fuel line was repaired.  

Environmental investigations were subsequently undertaken by LGCL between October 2022 and March 2023 which confirmed the presence of gasoline-related contamination at the LGGS and in groundwater beneath Arbutus Road.  From March 2023 onward, additional testing of soil, groundwater, soil vapour, indoor air, and tap water was undertaken at the LGCS and surrounding lands to assess the extent of contamination.  These investigations have been conducted in coordination with, and test results have been reported to, BC Ministry of Environment and Parks (BC ENV), Northern Health (for off-reserve health concerns) and/or First Nations Health Authority (for on-reserve health concerns).

Environmental Works (see also individual posts since 2023)
 

Extensive environmental testing has been completed at the LGCS and surrounding lands between 2023 and 2026.

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  •    To date, very little pure gasoline has been observed.

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• •    Soil, groundwater, and soil vapour contamination have been found both on- and off-Reserve.  As of April 2026, Notifications of Actual or Likely Migration have been provided to 10 off-reserve property owners as well as to BC ENV.  

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  •    Water supply wells were replaced at five properties due to identified contamination in 2023.  

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  •    A pilot-testing groundwater containment system was established at the LGCS in 2023 to address the migration of contamination in the drinking water aquifer.  This system was upgraded in Fall 2025.  An Approval for the discharge of effluent from the system was received from BC ENV in March 2025 (Approval 112352) and an amended Approval for the upgraded system was received in October 2025.  

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• •    Various mitigation strategies have been employed to address indoor air concentrations above BC ENV vapour standards which are expected to be related to the fuel release. These include the relocation of a residence at one property, the provision of alternate water supplies at multiple properties and the installation of a vapour mitigation system at one property. 

Ongoing Tap Water and Indoor Air Testing

Testing of tap water and indoor air for gasoline-related parameters is expected to continue in 2026 and 2027 at some of the properties in the area of notification (see below).  The off-reserve properties are located between Lust Road and Basalt Avenue and between Arbutus Road and Jade Street.

The frequency and schedule of sampling will vary from property to property and will be communicated to property owners.  SLR will continue to reach out directly to property owners and/or occupants to coordinate the sampling activities and to provide verbal notification of results.  They can also expect to receive letters from SLR with a summary of their results and a copy of the laboratory certificate on an annual or biennial basis (depending on sampling frequency). Those who would like a copy of their laboratory certificate in advance of the letter can contact SLR at 250-255-6432. ​

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Area of Notification

 

​​​​​​​The area of notification is as outlined in the site plan below. The off reserve properties are located between Lust Road and Basalt Avenue and between Arbutus Road and Jade Street.

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