Richard Froese South Peace News Reports of fecal coliform contaminating drinking water in the West Prairie River in early June has drawn concern from Big Lakes County.
At its regular meeting July 25, council tabled a decision to partner with the Lesser Slave Watershed Council to hold an information session proposed for Aug. 23.
“I have a lot of questions [to be answered] before we have an information session,” Reeve Ken Matthews says.
Matthews says council plans to meet with the LSWC before discussing the issue further at an upcoming council meeting.
Council and staff are most concerned that results of high fecal coliform counts in the river were not reported immediately to the county by the watershed council.
“When we were informed, the [affected] water had long gone,” Brideau says.
He provided information about the contaminated water in a report to council.
“The Lesser Slave Watershed Council water quality program has indicated higher-than- average fecal coliform counts in the West Prairie River by Banana Belt and the West Prairie River in High Prairie,” reads a report from Brideau.
“Results on June 4 showed record high counts of 810 fecal coliform in Banana Belt and 330 in High Prairie.” Samples on June 18 indicated levels have dropped but are still elevated.
“This is not just a West Prairie River problem, but also an issue for East Prairie River, Driftpile River and Heart River.