People who live near Grand Lake, N.S. want answers on safety of water
People who live on Grand Lake outside Halifax want more information from the province about the blue-green algae contamination in the water and the health risks associated with it.
Residents have been told not to use wells that draw from Grand Lake. The Municipality of East Hants had been handing out drinking water, a program that is coming to an end.
The minister of environment and climate change was asked Thursday about the province providing assistance to those affected. Keith Irving’s comment was clear.
"Short answer is no, homeowners are responsible for the cost of getting safe drinking water to their home whether they hook up to a municipal system or dig a well," Irving said.
As for using the lake recreationally, the province's stance is to do so at your own risk. Health experts say ingesting contaminated water can cause health issues.
"If you did drink some lake water during an algae bloom, you might have some stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea, you might get a headache and some cramps," says regional officer of health Dr. Austin Zygmunt.
Long-time Grand Lake resident Mike Murphy isn’t sure how to proceed, he says the province needs to provide more information to people who live in the area.
"Jury is out for me at the moment," Murphy said. "I’m waiting to hear what happens, I think the government does owe us further information. I know there’s a lot of folks that are pretty concerned about the situation."
Late Thursday afternoon, the department of fisheries and oceans repealed their fishing prohibition on Grand Lake and the Shubenacadie River.
The Halifax Regional Fire Department will continue to provide bottled water to residents in the area.
Water is available at the stations in Grand Lake and Wellington.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.