Windsor investigates oily, oil-like substance on Little River

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In urban areas, such as Windsor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can come from architectural coatings, finishing products automotive, cutback bitumen and other consumer or commercial products, indicates the Environment and Climate Change Canada website.

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The City of Windsor is investigating a fatty, oil-like substance found on the Little River. The city does not know how much was spilled and the investigation could last a few days, says Mark Winterton, the municipal engineer.

Herman Marlovitz was feeding ducks swimming in the Little River in Windsor on Thursday when he noticed an oily sheen on the water. I don't know where it comes from [but] it's not good for the fish, he thought.

The watercourse, which passes through the east of the city and gives its name to a park, is one of the Canadian sub-watersheds of the Detroit River.

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The substance in the Little River extends from Tecumseh Road to the marina.

The City is attempting to identify and contain the substance in the river that Mark Winterton says runs from Tecumseh Road to the marina.

According to him, the City was informed of the presence of the substance on Tuesday and installed floating booms in the river to contain it. We are still assessing the consequences on the environment, he said, not being able to confirm that it is oil.

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ELSE ON NEWS: Record Russian strikes kill at least 16 in Ukraine< p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks as well as the Windsor Fire Department took water samples to try to isolate the substance and identify it, explains the municipal engineer, who describes it as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Mark Winterton adds that the City is in the process of going up the river to determine the source of the problem, after which a vacuum truck will clean the substance. The investigation could last a few more days, he warns.

Derek Coronado of the Citizens Environmental Alliance has viewed footage of the river and believes the spill looks like a petroleum-based product.

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Derek Coronado, of the Citizens Environmental Alliance, recommends that people who see this type of substance report it to 311 and of the Ministry of the Environment.

This type of spill is unfortunately common along the Detroit River, both on the Canadian side and on the American side, underlines he added, adding that spills can damage aquatic ecosystems and harm the food chain.

He recommends that people who see this type of substance do not touch it and report it as quickly as possible. Reports can be made to 311 and the Ministry of the Environment.

With information from TJ Dhir and Dax Melmer of CBC News