Contaminants in the wells of nine North Bay homes have them using bottled water.
The residential wells are near the 22 Wing Canadian Forces Base where per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) have been found, according to the Department of National Defence. Firefighting foam containing high levels of PFAS was used from the 1970s to the 90s for training purposes before stricter regulations on the substances were enforced.
In collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), further testing of the area’s PFAS levels using an interim guidance level is currently underway.
As a result of this testing, nine homes have been identified to have PFAS levels above the interim guidance level.
“We are working with the City of North Bay to provide these homes with bottled water for cooking and drinking,” the defence department stated in a release. “We will also resample water at two other properties to obtain current results to compare to the MECP’s interim guidance.”
PFAS levels in all other North Bay water supplies are below the interim guidance level.
The Department of National Defence is working with the city, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and MECP to keep the community updated on the situation.
