Initial water quality samples collected from towns near a massive tailings pond breach in British Columbia indicate that none of the contaminants exceed provincial or federal guidelines for drinking water, B.C.’s Ministry of Environment says.
In a memo released Thursday afternoon, ministry officials said samples were collected Monday near the town of Likely and on the north shore of Quesnel Lake, after the tailings dam at the Mount Polley Mine breached, releasing water and silt into nearby lakes and rivers.
Officials tested for properties such as pH, dissolved solids and suspended heavy metal solids.
“Contaminant concentrations at the above sites were well below aquatic life guidelines at all sites,” the memo stated.
The ministry also said that although water is within safe drinking limits, “do not consume” restrictions remain in place.
“While these initial samples meet both provincial and Canadian drinking water guidelines, additional sampling is required before a final determination can be made on the current water use restrictions,” the statement from the B.C. environment minister’s office said.
The advisory impacts water drawn from Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek, Quesnel Lake and the Quesnel River system to the Fraser River.
Likely is located near the Mount Polley Mine where the tailings dam burst Monday, prompting a local state of emergency.
The breach released approximately 10 million cubic metres of water and 4.5 million cubic metres of potentially toxic silt into the rivers, lakes and creeks of the Cariboo region.
Residents near Polley Lake and Quesnel Lake have been under a water ban since Monday, when the breach sent a river of toxic water pouring into the water supply.
Earlier Thursday, Federal Industry Minister James Moore said taxpayers shouldn't be responsible for the cost of the cleanup.
"Those who are responsible for this should pay for this," he said. "This should not be the responsibility of taxpayers."
He added that although the mining industry is a vital one for B.C. and the country, companies must act responsibly when it comes to the environment.
The breach has proven to be an unprecedented catastrophe for residents in the area, said a spokesperson for the Cariboo regional district.
"The spill is affecting us dramatically," Al Richmond, chair of the Cariboo regional district, told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday.
Richmond says the tailing pond's owner, Imperial Metals, has taken full responsibility for the breach, and is working hard to address the problem. Imperial Metals has provided affected residents with jugs of water and temporary shower facilities while the water ban is in place.
"They consider themselves to be part of our community, part of the region and part of the province," Richmond says. "We hope and sincerely trust that that relationship will continue."
The tailings pond serves as a holding area for waste chemicals produced at Imperial Metals' copper and gold mine. The water is used to separate out harmful metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury. When the water is fully cleansed of those metals, it's released back into the environment.
With files from The Canadian Press
