"This morning they [Husky Energy] saw the sheen downstream from us," Schafer said as quoted by The Toronto Star. "Husky reported to water security that they…saw a sheen and so everything gets shut right down.”
North Battleford has a backup supply of water to last for about three days as well as a ground treatment plant, Schafer explained.
According to media reports, Husky Energy leaked between 52,800 and 66,000 gallons (200,000 to 250,000 liters) of crude oil and other material into the river from its pipeline, located about 52 miles from North Battlefield, on Thursday.
Husky Energy Chief Operating Officer Rob Peabody told reporters on Friday that the spill was not under the river, and some of the spill is already being cleaned from the land.
Additionally, the company is trying to contain the spill with booms about 25 miles upstream from North Battleford.
Husky Energy officials said the cause of the spill may not be known for several weeks.
