/ Modified aug 17, 2022 4:40 p.m.

Oil spill stopped from reaching tributary on Navajo Nation

Up to 80 barrels of brine water were released.

Navajo Nation map SPOT
Public domain

Navajo Nation officials say an oil spill has been stopped from reaching a tributary to the San Juan River and clean-up work continues at Standing Redrock Creek.

They say the Capitol Operating Group had a release from a corroded pipeline between the salt water tank and an injection well located in Red Valley on Aug. 7.

Up to 80 barrels of brine water was released.

Tribal officials say the brine water contained oil, brine, and saltwater and the release traveled over three miles through an unnamed drainage to the Standing Redrock Creek.

Tribal officials say the remediation is expected to continue into next week and includes replacing the pipeline, treating the release site and unnamed drainage, and collecting the contaminated soil in the creek bed.

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