If there’s a problem with Deer Lake’s drinking water, then Mayor Dean Ball said the town wants to get it fixed.
Ball said the town’s water quality is tested daily by town employees and regularly by the province.
“All of our water quality testing comes back that we have one of the better water supplies in the province,” he said following Monday night’s council meeting.
With that information, Ball said he can’t understand some of the negativity that has been shared recently about the town’s water through social media.
Ball said the town knows there is debris in the canal, the town’s water source, that needs to be removed.
He said this has not affected the quality of the town’s water, noting that the water goes through three treatment processes before it comes out residents’ taps.
The canal cleanup will be undertaken by Kruger, owners of Deer Lake Power.
The company is in the process of completing engineering drawings of the temporary pumping station that will have to be put in place before it can continue with the work.
Jean Majeau, senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications with Kruger, said in an email to The Western Star that the engineering piece should be submitted to the province by the end of the month. He said the company expects to begin the work at the end of May, after the run-off season.
The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment said it is working with Stantec, the consultant on the project regarding the plans for the removal of the debris.
As part of that, the department said in an email that Deer Lake Power has been granted a permit for a temporary water supply intake so that water can be provided to the towns while removal of the debris takes place.
“Work on removal of the debris can only be undertaken by Deer Lake Power once a plan is in place that is appropriate and ensures the work can be done safely,” said the email.
Ball said he expects to receive an update on the plan shortly.
“We want to work with the province and Kruger. We want to do what’s right for our residents.
“We don’t want it moved if there’s going to be more issues. We want it moved when it’s done in a safe and mannerly way.”
