Mass fish kill on Burnaby-Coquitlam border under investigation

Approximately 100 young fish were found dead Tuesday in Stoney Creek, located on the border of Burnaby and Coquitlam, prompting both cities to investigate water contamination. 

Residents say it's a frequent occurrence in the area. 

"I'm tired of walking the trails and meeting my neighbours and having them in tears saying, 'Oh my God, there's a big fish kill,'" said Janice McAndrew, a resident and director of the Oakdale Neighbourhood Association.

McAndrew says since nearby construction ramped up in the area around 2021, the community has noticed the stream looking visibly polluted. 

"We feel there's toxins going in; you can see a hazy cast to the water," said McAndrew.

"It's getting more and more frustrating every day." 

The cities of Burnaby and Coquitlam both said in statements to CBC that they received the report of the fish kill on Tuesday morning, noting approximately 100 dead fish were observed in the area near Broadway and Norcrest Crescent. 

Both said staff had taken water samples and are working to determine the contamination and identify its source. 

They also said any person or business found responsible would be issued fines or citations.  

A spokesperson for the City of Burnaby told CBC the city is aware of other previous similar incidents, noting it happens "frequently." 

Officers from Environment and Climate Change Canada were at the creek investigating on Tuesday.  

Suzana Kovacic, who lives nearby and is a research associate at SFU's chemistry department and a volunteer with the Stoney Creek Environmental Committee, says a significant increase in substances being discharged into the Creek coincides with increased nearby construction. 

Kovacic said she observed another fish kill incident on Friday. She says she saw heavy black tar from a culvert going into the creek.

"I watched one fish, a salmon fry, interact with maybe that tar but maybe something else, and flip onto its side and die," she said. 

Kovacic said at the same time she noticed a heavy ammonia smell from manure coming into the creek and observed Styrofoam pieces and soap suds floating into the creek. 

The City of Coquitlam said it also received a report on Tuesday of suds coming from an upstream culvert. 

Kovacic says while there are water quality monitoring systems installed in the creek, more needs to be done. 

She says there needs to be more regulation for nearby construction sites, which she says should have upgraded wastewater treatment systems. 

"If the authorities who have the power to make change do something, we can restore this creek," she said.