A spill is considered an accidental spill, leak, or illicit dumping of a substance that may adversely affect the environment or human health. Spills can be land based or marine based. Spills can include, but not limited to, substances such as fuels (gasoline, home heating oil, motor oil, etc.), paint, antifreeze, acidic or caustic substances, sewage or any other substance that can cause pollution. It is important to prevent land based spills from reaching the storm drain system (i.e. storm drains, catch basins, ditches, residential perimeter drains, etc.) because it is a quick and direct pathway for these contaminants to reach our local creeks, harbours and shorelines.

How to Report a Spill

  1. Call Emergency Management BC
    1.800.663.3456
    (24/7)
  2. If any spill enters the storm drain, ditch or goes onto a public road, the phone numbers noted below are secondary local contacts (where applicable).

Local Government Contacts

All First Nations: 1.800.663.3456
(Esquimalt Nation, Pacheedaht First Nations, Pauquachin First Nation, Scia’new First Nation, Songhees Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, Tseycum First Nation, T’Sou-ke Nation)

Central Saanich: 250.544.4224 (after hours 250.544.4224)

Colwood: 250.474.4133 (after hours 250.478.8321)

Esquimalt: 250.414.7108 (after hours 250.995.7654)

Langford: 250.474.0068 (after hours 250.478.9555)

Highlands: 250.474.1773 (after hours 250.920.6970)

Juan da Fuca Electoral Area: 1.800.663.3456

Metchosin: 250.474.3167 or 250.478.1307 (after hours 250.478.7770)

North Saanich: 250.656.0781 (after hours 250.920.9235)

Oak Bay: 250.598.4501 (after hours 250.592.9121)

Saanich: 250.475.5599 (after hours 250.475.6190)

Salt Spring Island: 1.800.663.3456

Southern Gulf Islands: 1.800.663.3456

Sidney: 250.656.1034 (after hours 250.656.1184 or 250.656.2121)

Sooke: 250.642.1634 (after hours 250.744.0664)

Victoria: 250.361.0400 (after hours 250.361.0400)

View Royal: 250.479.6800 (after hours 250.727.7903)

Spills and environmental emergencies are regulated under the BC Spill Reporting Regulation.

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Management BC 1.800.663.3456
Spill Reporting Fact Sheet

Resources