Esquimalt officials are urging residents to use caution when storing and disposing of hazardous products, after a light petroleum substance coated the waters in Westbay Marine Village last week.

After an assessment by provincial Environment Ministry, Canadian Coast Guard and municipal staff, it was determined that the March 29 spill, which spread over a large area, was likely less than four litres of a liquid such as gasoline, diesel fuel or brake fluid.

While the petroleum fluid was not considered to pose a risk to the environment, Jeff Miller, Esquimalt director of engineering and public works, said even small spills can damage natural habitat.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e introducing something thatB次元官网网址檚 been manufactured or refined into an environment thatB次元官网网址檚 not really set up to deal with it,B次元官网网址� he said.

As a precautionary measure, an absorbent boom was placed around one storm sewer outfall along the west bank of the marina.

ItB次元官网网址檚 not known whether the petroleum-based product was intentionally poured down a storm drain, or whether it leaked accidentally.

B次元官网网址淲e were attempting to find where the substance had come from by going back, looking through manholes and catch basins ... but by that time it had come and gone already,B次元官网网址� Miller said.

Last year, a smaller amount of contaminant seeped into water in the area.

B次元官网网址淲e get sporadic reports of petroleum products washing into West Bay,B次元官网网址� Miller said. B次元官网网址淯nfortunately, we havenB次元官网网址檛 been able to determine whoB次元官网网址檚 doing it.B次元官网网址�

Last week's spill should serve as a reminder to residents that household hazardous waste can be dropped off at the Hartland Landfill recycling area at no charge, he said.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 always concerned when people think they can use the storm and sanitary sewers as a way to get rid of either petroleum or other materials that should be disposed of in a proper manner. Unfortunately, a lot of people donB次元官网网址檛 understand, when you dump it into either the storm or sanitary (sewers), it goes into our waterways.B次元官网网址�

emccracken@vicnews.com