Residents in Meaford have officially been given the all-clear to use their water again after a “do-not-consume” advisory was issued on Sunday. City officials declared the “do-not-consume” advisory over Wednesday night after receiving confirmation from the Grey Bruce medical officer of health, Dr. Ian Arra, that the water from the municipal water system was safe to drink. While the advisory has been lifted, the municipality says the state of emergency remains in place. The municipality issued the emergency Sunday following concerns about contaminants leaching into the ground and the water supply in Georgian Bay around Johnny B’s Automotive and Car Care following the fire.
Emergency declared in Meaford after fire prompts water contamination concerns
Chief administrative officer Rob Armstrong said they sent water to be tested Saturday to determine if it was contaminated. “We do not believe it’s contaminated. This is to ensure the safety of the residents is in place,” Armstrong told Global News. “The municipality become concerned about water to fight the fire being mixed with burnt materials onsite being mixed with Georgian Bay being (nearby) and then, in turn, being close to our municipal water intake.”
Meaford Resident Wins Important Legal Battle Against Diamond Giant De Beers
Local Meaford resident Trevor Hesselink never thought that his margin notes in an environmental reporting document would turn into an eight-year struggle for accountability in Ontario’s mining sector. But after months of painstaking research, publishing an exhaustive investigative report, and launching a private prosecution, Hesselink’s case against the diamond giant finally came to a successful resolution in the Timmins Ontario Court of Justice last week. De Beers Canada Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to provide mercury monitoring data relating to the operation of its Victor Diamond Mine in Northern Ontario.