Public Service Announcement

Boil Advisory Issued for Kearney Lake

(Wednesday, April 5/06)-- The provincial Acting Medical Officer of Health (MOH) has requested HRM to advise residents in the area of Kearney Lake of poor water quality conditions in the lake due to a minor sewage spill.

The MOH cautions that anyone taking water from the lake for consumption to boil the water first; any one taking water from a well in close proximity to the lake to boil the water; and that any food taken from the lake (eg. fish) should be cooked prior to being consumed.

A pumping station in the Kearney Lake area experienced a by-pass of wastewater yesterday. The initial report by HRM staff estimated the volume to be approximately 250 I.G. (1,000 litres). The provincial Department of the Environment was advised immediately about the incident and the pumping station was quickly repaired.

Lake water testing is being conducted by the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment. Media inquiries regarding water quality testing and standards should be directed to DOE.

HRM thanks the public for its cooperation and apologizes for any inconvenience.

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John O'Brien
Manager, Corporate Communications
(902) 490-6531