NEWS RELEASE
MUNICIPALITY OF GREY HIGHLANDS
*************************
On May 15, 2024, the environmental services department was notified by a provincial officer from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) district office that a member of the public had reported that water was flowing through the berm on the east side of Cell #1 at the Amik Lagoon.
The caller noted to the MECP that it had been leaking for at least a week and was pooling at the base of the berm. The municipality was directed to investigate and check for impacts to the natural environment and report back.
On May 15, the inside of the berm was inspected, and nothing abnormal was noted; on the morning of May 16, the leak was located on the exterior of the berm. The leak was stopped within one hour of locating the leak. The hole was caused by burrowing muskrats, which were present on the lagoon property during the repair work. The entire property was assessed for impacts of the leak to the wildlife and natural environment, and there was no evidence of negative impacts.
MECP directed staff to collect samples and compare them against the final effluent parameters in our certificate of approval (CofA). These results were provided to the MECP upon receipt from an accredited laboratory and were well within compliance limits. Monthly surface water monitoring is required as per the CofA, which has been kept current and updated over the years, last updated in 2012. The May sample was collected, and the results were also provided to the MECP for review.
The MECP directed the municipality to monitor the repair site closely and continue to monitor for any sign of the leak migrating off municipal property. Municipal staff continued to monitor the repair site and the entire berm closely for the following weeks.
The municipality implemented a berm inspection program, consulting with an engineer on berm integrity, best management practices for maintenance, and a contingency plan for any future events.
The MECP had no concerns with the municipality’s response. As there was no evidence of the leak migrating off municipal property, the MECP deemed this a maintenance incident in the lagoon file; it was not classified as a spill under the Environmental Protection Act.
The municipality is disappointed that this incident was not reported directly to the environmental services department but instead monitored and documented for a week before being reported to the MECP. The environmental services department strives to meet and exceed all regulatory requirements for all our environmental compliance approvals or certificates of approval issued by the MECP.
The municipality wishes to thank the MECP officer for their guidance and support as this incident was remedied.
*************************
