Interior Health has rescinded a water advisory imposed in March 2016 as a result of a suspected spill of glue and fuel from the Canoe Forest products plywood plant.
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May 27, 2016 - 10:16 AM
SALMON ARM - A water advisory put into effect following a contaminant spill into Shuswap Lake has been rescinded.
Interior Health announced this morning, May 27, it is removing the advisory in light of water sample results from Environment and Climate Change Canada, as well as follow up tests by Canoe Forest Products and the health authority itself.
Interior Health spokesperson Michaela Swan says the results show there are contaminants in the water, including formaldehyde, however the levels are very low and do not pose a risk to water users in the area. She notes formaldehyde would not occur naturally in the lake, but is a common ingredient in glue products.
The advisory, which directed people to avoid recreational use and not use the water in the affected area, was imposed in March after reports of glue and fuel products entering the lake from a plywood plant.
The operations manager of the company, Canoe Forest Products, said only a small amount of water seeped into the foreshore area from the plant following a water line break.
According to Interior health, the company has taken additional steps to avoid spills, and ensure contaminants do not enter Shuswap Lake in the future.
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