Residents living on Prince Edward Island’s South Shore are urging the provincial government to address a concerning issue of E. coli contamination in their drinking water. The contamination occurs when rainwater from higher elevations flows through a culvert and inundates their properties.
Randy Robar, a resident of Rice Point, expressed alarm at the significant volume of water streaming down during heavy rain, exacerbating the longstanding problem. Despite residents’ persistent calls for government intervention over the years, the situation has deteriorated due to increased land clearing and intensified storm downpours.
Following heavy rainfall over the Labour Day weekend, six homeowners who share a well conducted water tests. Oleg Bebeshko suspected that the rainwater inundated their septic systems, leading to raw sewage contaminating the well water and the subsequent detection of E. coli. A boil-water advisory was issued, which was lifted after the homeowners treated the well with chlorine, resulting in clear test results.
Expressing health concerns, Bebeshko emphasized the importance of boiling water for safety until the threat of E. coli recurrence is resolved. The provincial Department of Land and Environment emphasized the need for additional testing post significant rainfall events to determine the contamination source, highlighting the importance of well maintenance and diversion of surface water away from wells to prevent contamination.
Despite confirmation that the well was in good condition during a recent inspection, officials mandated the installation of a UV light in the central water system to eliminate bacteria, a cost that the homeowners are willing to bear. Robar stressed the need for upgrades to address water-related issues and potential environmental hazards like erosion from the culvert flow.
Bebeshko urged immediate government action to replace the culvert correctly to safeguard neighboring properties, emphasizing the flawed installation that directs water towards property boundaries instead of the natural ditch. However, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure cautioned that any modifications could impact surrounding properties, necessitating a balanced approach considering the entire area and all property owners’ needs.
