Troubling E. coli levels found in creek near former Barrie encampment

Troubling E. coli levels found in a creek at a former encampment in Barrie that was reportedly home to dozens of people.

More than a month after a large wooded area near the city’s core was evacuated and fenced off following a homicide investigation, new information is coming to light about the environmental impact of the former homeless encampment.

Water samples taken from Dyments Creek, which flows through the site and directly into Kempenfelt Bay, show significant concerns about contamination.

“This was an exceptionally unique situation,” the City’s CAO Michael Prowse told councillors during an exclusive meeting on Aug. 12. “I think I’m going to venture that this is uncharted territory.”

The City said staff initially asked the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) to test the water, but Prowse said the agency declined.

“They told us we could send them drone footage, I think, in videos, and they would be happy to examine it,” the CAO added.

• Barrie Encampment Investigation | Full Details

The health unit told CTV News it has been working within its mandate and in contact with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.

“The municipal drinking water system is rigorously tested by the City of Barrie under the Safe Drinking Water Act. SMDHU has no evidence linking the encampment to E. coli contamination associated with swim advisories issued through the health unit’s routine beach water monitoring program,” Heather Howe with the health unit stated.

The response from health officials frustrated Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, who told council during the Aug. 12 meeting, “When you have 100 people using a washroom in a creek that’s going to our beach, and you have high E. coli at the beach, at what point do you go, let’s go figure out what’s happening.

This is an issue.”

The City’s own water testing paints a troubling picture.

On Aug. 22, samples taken at four points along Dyments Creek revealed levels as high as 921 E. coli per 100 millimetres of water near Innisfil Street. By comparison, public swimming advisories in Barrie are issued at 200 per 100 millimetres.

Nuttall raised further concerns about the City’s reliance on an unused wellhead located along the creek.

“Imagine for a second that that thing went down, right, and we’ve got to switch back to a complete well system for the city. Are you folks comfortable? Because I’m not - just being honest. So, I think that there’s a wide range of things that need to be understood,” he said to council during the exclusive meeting.

But in a statement to CTV News issued on Thursday, the mayor wrote, “If necessary, the City will act alone, but prefers the cooperation and support of other agencies and partners to address risks, provide supports, and ensure that encampments do not threaten public health or safety.”

At this time, it’s not clear what specific steps are being taken by the City to protect water sources where other encampments have been established.