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Late Thursday afternoon, the department of fisheries and oceans repealed their fishing prohibition on Grand Lake and the Shubenacadie River.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
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.