Lakelands Public Health is advising residents and cottage owners on South Lake in Minden Hills not to use lake water for any household purposes following a fuel oil spill.
They said furnace oil was released from a private property over the weekend.
“The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) have responded and are working with the property owner to contain the spill. MECP has confirmed that a sheen of fuel is present on the lake’s surface. Due to changing wind conditions, the location of the sheen is shifting and cannot be fully contained.”
Many properties on South Lake draw water directly from the lake.
As a precaution, Lakelands Public Health is issuing a drinking water advisory for affected residents.
Residents and cottage owners drawing water from South Lake are advised not to use the water for: drinking, cooking or food preparation, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, bathing or showering as well as dishwashing.
Other tips include using bottled water or an alternative safe drinking water source not affected by the advisory.
Minden Hills fire chief Don Kruger said the township has 15 cases of bottled water that will be donated to residents of South Lake. They will be available for pick-up at the fire hall as of yesterday afternoon. They will be on a first come first serve basis, or if a member of the lake owners’ committee wish to come pick them up to disperse them.
MECP, Minden Hills, and Lakelands Public Health are actively monitoring the situation. Local agencies, including the OPP, have also received inquiries from concerned residents. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice. Residents will be informed when it is safe to resume normal water use. Stay Informed For updates and additional information, visit: LakelandsPH.ca/BWA or contact Lakelands Public Health at 1-844-575-4567.
