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Late Thursday afternoon, the department of fisheries and oceans repealed their fishing prohibition on Grand Lake and the Shubenacadie River.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
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.