Saltwater spill rivals mammoth breach in 2006

WILLISTON, N.D. — Cleanup is expected to continue in the coming weeks at the site of a saltwater spill in North Dakota that rivals a 2006 breach believed to be the worst environmental disaster in state history.

The estimated 1 million gallon spill on the Crestwood Midstream Partners LP pipeline was discovered July 8 near Mandaree on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. It is one of the biggest oilfield spills in North Dakota history.

The 2006 incident involved a pipeline that spewed 1 million gallons of saltwater into a creek, aquifer and pond near the town of Alexander, North Dakota.

State Water Quality Director Karl Rockerman says cleanup efforts are still ongoing at the Alexander site.