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Adverse Water Quality Incident Report

Location: Richmond Community Water System
Municipality of Bayham, County of Elgin (SWR)

Type of water source: Private Communal - groundwater (springs)

Population served: 43 residences

Water works owned and operated by: Private

Date MOE notified and by whom: March 20, 2002, by Public Health Unit

Date MOH notified and by whom: n/a

Date of First Sample(s): October 1, 2001

Who conducted the sampling? health unit

Why was sampling initiated? Routine

Sample contaminant details: February 5, 2002: Nitrate 12.0 mg/L

Resampling details and result: Between October 1, 2001 and February 5, 2002, the health unit collected 7 samples, of which 6 indicated nitrate levels above the Ontario Drinking Water Standard maximum acceptable concentration of 10.0 mg/L.

On March 20, 2002, the health unit issued a Drinking Water Advisory because the average nitrate level over the last five months was 11.4 mg/L.

MOE Role: Working with health unit to resolve the problem.

Background (if there is a history of the site): On December 7, 2001, the health unit issued a Boil Water Advisory to users of the water system suggesting that water used for domestic purposes should be boiled. The advisory was lifted in December 2001.

On December 17, 2001, the ministry inspected this system and observed that the groundwater springs are susceptible to surface water contamination.

On January 16, 2002, the ministry issued a Provincial Officer Order to the private owner requiring that a free chlorine residual of 0.2 mg/L be maintained, record keeping, daily sampling, and reporting. Owner is complying with this order.

Incident Resolution: Ongoing - Drinking Water Advisory remains in effect.