Barriers have been set up and water is being tested in the area of western North Dakota affected by a nearly 3 million-gallon saltwater spill.
State health official Dave Glatt said Thursday the berms have been installed to prevent potentially contaminated water from flowing out of an affected creek. Glatt said the state and company representatives will keep testing the water and soil regularly until after the ice melts in spring.
The millions of gallons leaked from a ruptured pipeline have led to the largest saltwater spill since the state's oil boom began in 2006. Glatt said the company detected the spill Jan. 6 during a periodic inspection.
The saltwater, known as brine, is an unwanted oil-production byproduct. It's considered an environmental hazard.