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Adverse Water Quality Incident Report

Location:
Residential Co-op Communal Water Supply (Briencrest), City of Hamilton (former community of Greensville in the Town of Flamborough) (WCR)

Type of water source:
Groundwater - 70 foot drilled well

Population served:
26 private residential homes

Water works owned/operated by:
Unofficial co-op comprising of members of 26 separate private homes which are users of the well -

American Water Services samples the well supply.
Ontario Realty Corp. assumed operation on Aug 31, 2001.

Date MOE notified and by whom:
January 26, 2001 the local health department.
September 10, 2001 notification by lab

Date MOH notified and by whom:
September 10, 2001 by lab

Date of First Sample(s):
January 25, 2001 - 5 samples, each at a separate location.
September 10, 2001 at the well and two residences

Who conducted the sampling?:
Contract operator sampled the well and the lab. Technician sampled the two residences.

Why was sampling initiated?:
Ongoing routine sampling to comply with regulation

Sample contaminant details:
2001:
Health Department resampled and found Total Coliforms 8, and E. coli 0 at the well and; four distribution samples ranged from 4 to 7 E. coli.
Well and two residences had 1 Total coliform;
Well and one residence had 0 E. coli, other residence 1 E. coli

2002:
Adverse water results continue to be reported. The supply continues to show periodic exceedences for Total coliforms. Evidence suggests that surface water is entering the well from time to time due to poor construction and maintenance.

2003:
Adverse water results continue to be reported. The supply continues to show periodic exceedences for Total coliforms. Well casing replaced. Further upgrades required to bring it into compliance (i.e. disinfection).

Boil Water Advisory was reissued late August and again on September 8, 2003. Operator is superchlorinating system.

Resampling details and results:
Sampling ongoing to comply with Regulation 170/03.

The well is being sampled on a daily basis by American Water Services Corp.

MOE Role:
Subject to the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Drinking-Water Systems Regulation. Local MOE staff will continue to work with the owner, the City of Hamilton and the local Health Unit to ensure the provision of safe water.

Negotiations between the ORC and the City of Hamilton regarding the transfer of responsibility for the Briencrest system to the city are currently being facilitated by the ministry. Should negotiations fail, an Order to the city to assume responsibility for the system under the Safe Drinking Water Act will be considered.

Background (if there is a history of the site):
Health department issued Boil Water Advisory on January 26, 2001.

Incident Resolution:
Ongoing