Mayor waits for spill info

Photo: Google Street View

The mayor of Salmon Arm is waiting for information on the severity of a spill in Shuswap Lake near her community.

Nancy Cooper said she is expecting more information about the spill sometime Wednesday afternoon.

The incident happened Tuesday afternoon, two kilometres from the town's water intake where thousands of litres of contaminated water containing glue and fuel products poured into the lake near Canoe Forest Products.

Interior Health issued a warning and the city switched to its secondary water intake.

Cooper said the switch was made as a precaution and “Salmon Arm water is fine. It's downstream so it's not coming back this way.”

Environment Canada officials are said to be leading the investigation, supported by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the provincial Conservation Officers Service. 

“Anytime something like this happens in Shuswap Lake, it concerns all of us,” said Cooper.

IH is advising the public to avoid recreational use from 300 metres off the log booms at this portion of the lake until it can be confirmed there is no risk to public health.

This includes boating, fishing and swimming.

Residents who have private water sources that draw from the lake in the affected area are advised to avoid use of the water.