Blue film on Quesnel Lake: independent biologist
Posted August 20, 2014 10:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LIKELY (NEWS1130) – Just how safe is the water in rivers and lakes near the Mt. Polley Mine? The province says most water is drinkable, but an independent biologist has her doubts after making an unexplained discovery.
“There’s a blue film on the lake that burns to touch it but the premier is saying it’s safe to drink,” says Dr. Alexandra Morton.
She reached out to health authorities who say the ministry of environment is aware and testing the substance.
“It’s so conflicting because residents have been told the water is safe to drink. I can tell you very few people in Likely and the surrounding area of Quesnel Lake; very few people are drinking it if any at all.”
She’s also concerned about local salmon habitats. “One quarter of all the Fraser sockeye rear in that lake. Copper traces are known to impact the aquatic life, the fish that are rearing in that lake will probably have far less food supply,” says Morton.
The province insists the water around Quesnel Lake and Likely is safe to drink after the tailings pond spill two weeks ago.
But Morton’s biggest worry remains the blue film. “The biggest concern I have is this blue film that is over Quesnel Lake. When you touch it, it burns your fingers and there are residents that have had rashes from touching it. It’s flowing along the lake and down into the Quesnel River.”
