Public Service Announcement
Boil Order Issued for Residents of Sandy Lake
(Thursday, August 17/2000)-- A Boil Order has been issued to homeowners and cottagers on Sandy Lake, near Bedford.
Halifax Regional Municipality has been advised the Nova Scotia Department of Environment issued the Order and officials will be going door-to-door in the area today, advising residents on wells or drawing water from the lake to boil their water before drinking it.
Testing has indicated that the fecal coliform count in the lake water is high due to a break in the sewer main along the Hammonds Plains Road, near the intersection of Giles Drive, over the weekend.
Municipal sewer crews responded to a call of a sewer break at that location at approximately 6:30 p.m. last Saturday evening. They were able to quickly divert the flow from the break to another force main while repairs were made. However, it is unknown how long the flow due to the break had been emptying into Sandy Lake.
There are approximately 20 property owners on Sandy Lake and there is a mix of year-round residences and cottages. Some draw water from the lake and the Environment Department has advised that no one should drink water from Sandy Lake or swim in the lake until further notice. Signage is expected to be erected at various points around the lake today.
In addition, HRM has made arrangements to provide bottled water to those residents or cottagers who require it. The contact person is Tim Burbine, Supervisor, Technical and Underground Services, Public Works and Transportation, at (902) 490-6116.
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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531
