North Bay’s municipal water supply not affected by Formaldehyde spill

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release

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The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit wishes to advise that an overturned tanker truck on Highway 63 north of Silver Lady Lane in North Bay has leaked Formaldehyde into Trout Lake.

Residents who live in the immediate area of the crash were evacuated and a door to door campaign has been under way to notify other residents.

North Bay’s municipal water supply is not affected by the spill.

However, the Health Unit advises residents who live along Trout Lake and any visitors to that area that because Formaldehyde is a highly toxic chemical, the following precautions must be taken:

 Do not use the water if you use a private water system and draw your water from Trout Lake. Use an alternate source of water.

 You CANNOT remove the contaminants by boiling the water or by using home water treatment devices.

 Do not swim or participate in other water sport activities in Trout Lake until further notice.

 Do not use the water from Trout Lake for pets or livestock.

The Health Unit is working with the Ministry of the Environment, OPP and municipal first responder agencies to resolve the situation.

Quote

“North Bay’s municipal water supply is safe. But residents who use a private water system and draw their water from Trout Lake must find an alternate source of water because home treatment devices will NOT remove the contaminants. We will continue to update the situation as more information becomes available.”
- Mike Duncan, Program Manager of Environmental Health.

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