The all clear has been sounded following last week’s crude oil spill in the St Clair River, but a local advocacy group still has concerns.
Officials with Suncor advised of the spill early Thursday afternoon, and by Friday evening, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks declared the spill had been contained and cleaned upstream, and there was no concern for communities downstream.
Officials with Wallaceburg Advisory Team for a Cleaner Habitat (WATCH) say that while they are glad the situation was rectified, they are worried that not everyone was able to receive updates in a timely fashion. Chair Joel Johnson says the group was inundated with calls and text from local residents who had not received any notification about the spill or did not know where to find more information.
Meantime, officials on Walpole Island First Nation say a “Do Not Consume” water advisory remains in effect. Bottled water will be handed out once again today at the Water Treatment Plant, one case per household while supplies last. Both the Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig Elementary School and Bkejwanong Children’s Centre will be closed today, but expect to reopen tomorrow.
