The Squamish Nation says it was notified of a sewage leak at the Capilano River near West Vancouver.
In a tweet, the Nation advised the public to avoid entering the water in the area.
The public is also advised to avoid using the river for fishing, swimming and bathing.
The Nation says the leak appears to have started near Fullerton Avenue in West Vancouver.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy’s spill report, the District of North Vancouver reported the leak on March 6 at around noon.
The district reported that the sewage was coming from a private property and was “entering the Capilano River via a storm drain outfall pipe.”
The report stated that crews were on site but that it could not confirm the source of the leak nor the amount that has leaked into the river. However, in the same report, an apartment complex is shown on the map as the spill site.
Water samples were collected from the area of the outfall pipe and from the Squamish Nation reserve.
The ministry says the samples from the pipe were already brought to a local lab while samples from the Squamish First Nation reserve will be brought in Monday.
Squamish Nation elected councillor and spokesperson Wilson Williams said in a tweet that they have “activated our admins and land/water guardians” for the safety of their community.
We have activated our admins and land/water guardians for the safety of our community whom use the river for everyday use and ceremony to protect our healthier and well being. https://t.co/cFMHCrSsW8
— Wilson Williams (@Wilsonius19) March 11, 2023
The ministry says an environmental emergency response officer is continuing to monitor the situation.