The Department of National Defence (DND) has given an update to the Lee’s Creek water quality situation.
The creek was found to contain polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) near 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Bay (CFB) North Bay. PFAS are artificially made chemicals used in some industrial and consumer products and is commonly found in firefighting foam.
In 2018 DND says a third-party environmental consultant to identify PFAS at the base, as well as Jack Garland Airport identified several sources. The main source was the use of airport lands for firefighter training in the late 1970s to the mid ’90s says DND.
They add that they are currently working with the City of North Bay to try and secure federal funding to try and remediate the airport area.
DND says that they have taken steps to try and address the issue such as:
- Conducting over 20 drinking water quality and environmental investigations
- Testing over 1,000 samples from drinking water, surface water, sewers, groundwater, sediment, and soil
- Sampling the drinking water of 97 homes near the base
- Immediately informing affected residents of two wells with PFAS levels above Health Canada’s recommended values
- Providing affected residents with bottled water until their homes were connected to the municipal water supply
- Monitoring and resampling the drinking water of up to 49 homes quarterly
- Sending residents detailed reports on their quarterly water test results
- Providing regular updates to the community on our residential well testing, environmental monitoring, studies, and next steps
- Working closely with the local health unit, city, and province to assess and manage PFAS impacts in the area
- Investing over $2 million to date in PFAS testing and prevention activities in North Bay
Warning signs have been added to the banks of Lee’s Creek advising to not eat any fish that have been caught in the creek because the contaminants pose a health concern.
“The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued a fish consumption advisory for Lee’s Creek and Trout Lake in response to PFAS levels identified in fish,” DND said in a release. “While consumption advisories are not considered a permanent solution, they help mitigate risks to human health. The results of ongoing tests will help us better understand the impacts of PFAS in the area, and our options to remediate and manage them.”
“We continue to work with the City of North Bay, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on this issue, and will provide the community with regular updates,” it continues.
Residents with questions about DND’s water testing program can contact 22 Wing/CFB North Bay Public Affairs at 705-494-2011, ext. 2822. Health-related questions about water quality can be directed to the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 705-474-1400, ext. 5260. Information on federal drinking water guidelines and screening values for PFAS is available on Health Canada’s website.
Lee’s Creek flows into Delaney Bay in Trout Lake, right across from the plant that North Bay uses to get it’s drinking water from.
