News Release                  

For Immediate release:

November 29, 2006

DO NOT USE WATER ADVISORY for Residents who use water directly from Lake Rosalind.

Please be advised that as of 3:00 p.m. on November 28, 2006 the Grey Bruce Health Unit issued a Do Not Use Water Advisory for the residents near and around Lake Rosalind in the Municipality of Brockton. This advisory affects those residents who use the lake as their direct drinking water source. There are approximately 60 private water users that are affected by this advisory, all of these residents have been personally contacted and have been provided with information. There are approximately 200 homes near and around the lake.

Those residents who are on the Lake Rosalind municipal water supply or are on their own separate well supply are not affected.

The advisory is in response to the presence of blue green algae (cynobacteria) within the lake. Cynobacteria may contain algae species with the potential to produce toxins which may be harmful to human health and to the health of animals.

INSTRUCTIONS

Do not drink, brush teeth, bathe, shower in or swim in the water

Do not wash clothes or wash dishes

Do not let pets drink or bathe in the water

Do not boil the water – boiling water may release more toxins in the water.

Do not use water from the source until the algae and the toxin have been positively identified.

To assist those affected residents the Municipality of Brockton has made provisions to distribute potable water. A water tanker truck has been placed at the Hanover Municipal Airport adjacent to the terminal building. Residents must bring and fill their own containers. This service will be available 24 hours a day until the water advisory is removed or until further notice.

The Do Not Use Advisory will remain in effect until water samples taken by the Ministry of Environment indicate that the lake water is safe.  The Municipality of Brockton will work closely with the Public Health Unit and the Ministry of the Environment to lift the Do Not Use Advisory as soon as possible.

For more information, residents, businesses and visitors can contact the municipal office Hotline at 519-881-2223 or the Public Health Unit at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 for further assistance. 

Attachment: Blue-Green Algae Fact Sheet; background, potential human health and safety of drinking water.

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For more information:

Lou D’Alessandro

Safe Water Program Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit

Owen Sound Office

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 223