Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
The mayor, Michel Angers, says he can't make information about the plant's problems public because the city is considering legal action. Grégoire's husband, Eric Bonfanti, wonders whether a push to save money led the city to choose the wrong firm to design the plant. He wants the mayor to make expert analyses public so he can judge for himself. "Most people aren't idiots,"' Bonfanti says. "'If you made a mistake, admit it!"
A boil water advisory has been put in place in the town of Tignish, P.E.I. Residents on the municipal water system are being urged not to drink the town's water or cook with it until it's boiled, following a malfunction with the town's water system. "We went door to door with pamphlets from ... Environment P.E.I. and let all the people know there was a boil order," Tignish Mayor Allan McInnis says.
Residents of Standoff are advised that they should boil their water before drinking or cooking. Indigenous Services Canada says there has been an equipment failure at the Standoff Public Water Supply, resulting in a pressure loss in the distribution system. They are telling the public to boil water for at least one minute prior to drinking, making infant formula, brushing teeth, washing fruits or vegetables, or making ice. Tap water is still safe for handwashing, but people should be careful with showering.
On any given day in Newfoundland and Labrador, there are about 200 boil-water advisories in place in rural communities — and it's not only a problem of public health, but of the viability of small towns themselves. Governments have known for decades the seriousness of the situation, but the problem persists, for several reasons, starting with cost.
