Residents in the Hill and Lyndoch streets area of Corunna with private drinking water systems using water from the St. Clair River are being advised by Lambton Public Health to not use the water for drinking or bathing.
Article content
A “do not use” water advisory was issued by Dr. Karalyn Dueck, Lambton County’s medical officer of health, “because the presence of diesel fuel is suspected to have contaminated” the water supply.
“Until further notice, do not use water from the drinking water system under any circumstances and avoid skin contact,” the advisory says.
Residents are also being advised to avoid swimming in the St. Clair River in that area until further notice.
The St. Clair Township Fire Department said late Saturday in a social media post that it and the Canadian Coast Guard were investigating “a sheen on the water near Corunna.” Ontario’s Spills Action Center had been notified, it said.
The fire department posted a copy of the Lambton Public Health advisory, noting it doesn’t impact users of St. Clair Township’s water distribution system which is supplied by the Lambton Area Water system.
Article content
“At this time only private drinking water systems are impacted,” Lambton Public Health said in a new release Sunday morning. “All other Lambton County municipal drinking water systems continue to be safe for consumption and are not covered in this advisory.”
The public health agency said all local water treatment systems have been notified “and are taking precautions to prevent contamination.”
The public health agency said there were no known reports of illness associated with the incident and said that anyone who becomes ill should seek medical advice.
Lambton Public Health said residents served by the private water system should use bottled water for bathing, drinking, gargling, brushing teeth, cleaning dentures, hand washing, laundry, household cleaning, making ice, preparing food and infant formula as well as washing dishes and countertops.
Alcohol-based hand disinfectants containing more than 70 per cent alcohol may be used if an alternate water source is not available, the news release said.
“Lambton Public Health is monitoring the situation and will notify users once the incident has been resolved and the advisory has been lifted,” it said.
Share this article in your social network