The latest water samples from Quesnel Lake and Quesnel River are consistent with previous results and Interior Health reaffirms the water in the area is safe to drink.

Ministry of Environment staff collected water quality samples from several different sites and depths on Aug. 20 and 22, 2014. There were no exceedances of drinking water guidelines at the following sites:

• Quesnel Lake upstream Island North Shore.
• Quesnel Lake North Shore East of Cedar Creek.

There were no exceedances of aquatic life guidelines at these sites with the exception of copper, which was slightly above guidelines at the East of Cedar Creek site. 

There was one exceedance of drinking water guidelines (aluminum) taken from the Quesnel Lake at southeast corner of Mitchell Bay site.

The sites sampled at Hazeltine Creek had some exceedances of both drinking water and aquatic life guidelines. However, these samples were targeted primarily to collect water from within the suspended solids plume and do not reflect the quality of the entire water column. Exceedances for drinking water included turbidity, phosphorus, aluminum, iron and manganese. This sample location is within the “Do Not Use” area defined by IHA.

Aluminum has no adverse health effects at these levels and is reflective of the mineral rich rock in the area. Drinking water guidelines for manganese and iron are based on taste and staining, rather than health issues.

Exceedances for aquatic life guidelines at the Hazeltine Creek sites include turbidity, total suspended solids, phosphorus, copper, zinc, vanadium, chromium, iron and silver. These exceedances are for total metals, and not dissolved metals, meaning they may not be available for uptake by aquatic life. The dissolved metal concentrations are much lower and indicate the high total values are associated with the suspended sediment plume. Aquatic life samples will continue to be taken as long term testing is needed to determine potential impacts.

Water samples have also been collected from the Quesnel River at Gravelle Ferry Bridge water quality monitoring site. This site was initiated in June 2014 as a monthly sampling site. Two samples were taken prior to the tailings impoundment breach and daily samples have been taken since the breach.

Results show that the samples taken prior to the breach exceed both drinking water and aquatic life guidelines and are similar to the daily samples being taken currently. In fact, the exceedances have been decreasing through August with lower levels of total metals such as aluminum.

The site is located about 75 kilometres downstream from Quesnel Lake, and has different water quality characteristics than the upstream part of the river, nearer the lake. The river at this site is much larger, is influenced by the input of the Cariboo River, and has higher turbidity which is associated with typically higher levels of total metals and phosphorus.

All test results have been shared with local First Nations, the First Nations Health Authority, Interior Health and the Cariboo Regional District.

Residents continue to be advised by Interior Health that residents should not be drinking cloudy water. If they notice increased turbidity, sediment, and/or a change in taste or odour, consider filtration and disinfection per normal water practice (see http://bit.ly/ihawater ) − or using alternate water sources.

All results and explanations are publically available on the Ministry of Environment’s dedicated Mount Polley site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/incidents/2014/mount-polley.htm

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834