A precautionary boil-water advisory (BWA) issued more than two months ago for an RV community near Hamilton, Ont. has been lifted, says the city’s health unit.
Hamilton Public Health (HPH) issued the advisory on May 26 to Fernbrook Resort in Freelton, Ont.
Residents were told not to drink the water or to even wash dishes or make meals with it. They are instead advised to use an alternate water source for those tasks or boil their tap water for at least one minute before using.
Fernbrook Resort is a 465-acre property located about 30 kilometres northwest of Hamilton. It is home to roughly 90 people age 50-plus who live there year-round and about 200 others who stay there seasonally. Dubbed by its owner online as a “family-oriented RV park with something to do for all ages,” it also has a private drinking water system that is not maintained or operated by the City of Hamilton.
Advisory issued after ‘adverse mechanical observation’: public health
Dr. Brendan Lew, Associate Medical Officer of Health with the City of Hamilton, previously told CP24 that officials took this precautionary measure after the property’s owner “identified an adverse mechanical observation involving the ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system.”
Lew underlined that it was not taken due to “bacteriological contamination or any other contaminant being detected in the drinking water supply,” but said the BWA would be in effect until the resort’s UV disinfection system is brought back into compliance with Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks requirements.
“Once all corrective measures have been completed, water quality samples will be collected for bacteriological analysis. Following satisfactory water quality results, and when it is safe to do so, the precautionary BWA will be lifted by HPH,” he said.
“Residents will be notified promptly when the advisory is lifted.”
Public health officials in Hamilton said the issuance of a precautionary boil-water advisory is a “common, proactive measure” in response to operational issues that may have the “potential to affect water quality,” adding that it is often issued “before there is any indication that the water is unsafe to consume.”
The health unit went on to explain they are implemented as microbiological testing and investigation takes time to complete, saying that it is a measure taken to “protect public health whenever the safety of the drinking water supply cannot be fully verified, until the issue has been thoroughly assessed and resolved.”
The PBWA at Fernbrook Resort was the third one the municipality issued so far this year. On average, there are seven to nine PBWAs issued annually by the City of Hamilton, HPH said.
Boil-water advisory rescinded on Aug. 2
The BWA for Fernbrook Resort was lifted on Saturday and is “no longer in effect,” public health told CP24 on Tuesday.
“Corrective actions have been completed, and the safety of the drinking water supply has been confirmed with satisfactory total coliform, E.coli and chlorine residuals,” a spokesperson with HPH wrote in an email.
“Normal use of the drinking water supply may now resume.”
Resident told BWA ending June 19
CP24 spoke with a long-time resident of the resort who expressed her frustration with delays after being told that the boil-water advisory was to be rescinded on June 19.
“This is just not right,” Mary Kovacs said during an interview late last week.
“What are they hiding? This is unbelievable.”
Tenants advocacy group ACORN also spoke out pushing for the landlord to complete the job as quickly as possible and be more transparent about the process, not to mention provide bottled water to affected residents and compensate them in the form of rent relief.
Landlord worked ‘as quickly and safely as possible’
In a June 26 letter to tenants, that was viewed by CP24, Linwood Parks Inc., which owns and operates the site, called the boil-water advisory an “inconvenience” and thanked residents for their “cooperation, patience and understanding.”
“Please know that our team is actively working with our engineers to resolve the issues as quickly and safely as possible. Restoring normal water service is our top priority, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,” it read.
The note went on to say that the estimated timeline to finish the work is “approximately 4-6 weeks,” which would be roughly the first week of August.
“While we recognize this is a significant amount of time, this estimate reflects the work required to ensure the repairs are completed properly and the water system is restored safely. If we are able to complete the work sooner, we will notify all park members immediately,” the landlord said, adding that bottled water would be available at the resorts’ clubhouse during operating hours “for any park member who needs it.”
An engineering firm retained to convey operational and engineering information in lay terms and vet proposed upgrades to ensure they are required and budgeted appropriately for this project previously told CP24 that the issues with the water system are due to aging UV units needing repairs to ensure proper disinfection of the drinking water.
The firm explained that the replacement parts required can no longer be sourced and needed to be designed. A re-evaluation of the current water treatment system was also required before new design specifications are prepared, it said.
