No-Use Water Warning for Shawnigan Lake South Following SIA Overflow

Do Not Use - Water Advisory Notice – November 13th

by Shawnigan Residents Association

The Do Not Use water advisory issued by Island Heath, on November 13, after a breach at the SIA toxic soil dump site is currently being distributed to all residents of Shawnigan Lake by the Shawnigan Residents Association.

The many warnings issued by the Association to MLA Mary Polak and the Ministry of the Environment for the past three years forewarned of an event such as this.

While the breach does not appear to have come from the currently active lot, it underscores what the Association has been saying all along. The proponents and operators of the site, along with the Ministry of the Environment, have not properly assessed the risks of the operation and have exposed the residents to an unacceptable danger.

It has been foretold all along that heavy rain would endanger the site and the lake. Now in the toxic dump’s first real season, and real test, with the first “normal” rain event, a breach has occurred to force a drinking water advisory.

The Ministry of the Environment and Minister Polack have, all of this time, sided with the dump proponents. The Shawnigan Residents Association is again calling for the courts to issue a stay in the dumping permit and for the Ministry to rescind the permit.

Residents of Shawnigan Lake receiving this note should call their neighbours and notify them of this advisory.

A no-water use advisory in effect: south-end of Shawnigan Lake Area November 13, 2015

by VIHA

Island Health is advising residents not to use water taken out of the lake from the south end of Lake Shawnigan, south of Butler Avenue and Verlon Road, due to a suspected overflow of water from the South Island Aggregates site.

The Ministry of the Environment is investigating, and water tests will be conducted.

No licensed permitted drinking water systems draw water from this area. Private residents are always recommended to properly treat water from surface sources.

As further information becomes available, this advisory may be updated.


Central/North Island media inquiries:
Valerie Wilson
Manager, Regional Communications
Valerie.Wilson@viha.ca

South Island media inquiries:
Kellie Hudson
Media Relations Manager
Kellie.Hudson@viha.ca