Safe Drinking Water Welcome News

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Following a community meeting in Likely hosted Aug. 14 by Imperial Metals, and attended by Mayor Kerry Cook, the City is pleased that the Interior Health Authority has deemed the water from Quesnel Lake and the Quesnel River is safe to drink. Water sampling since the Mount Polley tailings pond dam breach incident have consistently shown that the water in those bodies meet federal and provincial drinking water guidelines, and fish have been deemed safe for consumption. Only a partial water ban remains in effect.

Environmental monitoring, including water sampling, is ongoing. Imperial Metals is working to reduce the level of Polley Lake, with pumping operations underway. Numerous investigations continue into the cause for the tailings dam breach, and it is critical for all those affected to achieve an understanding of the cause. Imperial Metals has taken full responsibility and has undertaken cleanup of the area. Imperial Metals will continue to host regular community meetings in Likely and other affected communities, including First Nations.

It is important to note that tourism operators in the Likely and Quesnel Lake areas continued to welcome tourists and visitors to a beautiful part of the province just days following the incident.

Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook thanked Imperial Metals vice-president Steve Robertson for hosting the meeting and keeping residents up to date on cleanup and rebuilding efforts. The opportunity for residents to ask questions and seek clarification is a necessary part of the process. Most of the debris has been cleaned up, and Imperial Metals is employing local residents to do the work. The Likely bridge is not at risk. The tailings dam is currently being rebuilt and the water level of Polley Lake continues to abate. It is expected to take a number of weeks to fix the hole in the dam. The platform needs to be secured before further testing can be done in the tailings.

It is important to note that Mount Polley is a non-acid generating (NAG) mine, and tailings do not contain an abundance of minerals that react with oxygen in the atmosphere or water to create acid, which could break down minerals in the tailings and release metals into the environment.

The majority of Mount Polley’s 380 workers are currently employed at the mine, with layoff notices going to 42 employees. The City will be in regular contact with the United Steelworkers and the mine to assist in any transitional measures that need to be taken.

“The results of environmental testing are showing results far better than were initially thought,” says Mayor Cook. “Imperial Metals has started the process of not only cleanup and rebuilding of the dam, but the rebuilding of confidence in the company and the Mount Polley mine. Addressing the environmental issues must be the top priority, but immediate effects are being felt by employees and their families. There is a lot of work to do, and the City is ready to assist in any way that is needed. The investigation into how the dam breach occurred and how it can be prevented is of critical importance for Mount Polley, the residents, and for all current and future resource development.”

The City recognizes and thanks Chair Al Richmond and the Cariboo Regional District for their quick and thorough emergency response, and the residents of Likely, businesses, volunteers and service groups for their support. The City is also grateful for the continued attention to this incident shown by MLA Donna Barnett and provincial Ministers Oakes, Bennett, Polak, and Premier Clark.

It is important to seek accurate information as the early stages of the cleanup, rebuilding, and investigations proceed. Information can be found at the following sources:

• A public information line has been set up by the CRD: 250 398-5581
• If the public has any information that would be helpful to the investigation into the cause of the tailings pond breach, they are asked to call the Report all Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1 877 952-7277 or online at: www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/form.htm
• A Resource Works Advisory Council report on the Mount Polley tailings can be found here: http://www.resourceworks.com/getting-a-better-understanding-of-the-mount-polley-tailings.html
• Updates will be posted to the CRD’s emergency operations Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/CRDemergencyoperations or on the CRD website at: http://www.cariboord.ca/
• For a collection of documents from government and partners surrounding the Mount Polley breach, visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/incidents/2014/mount-polley.htm