Скачать или смотреть Update on contamination in the Smiths Falls Drinking Water Intake Protection Zone

The Town has been downplaying the level of contamination in our drinking water intake protection zone by applying the wrong standard. They measured results against the much weaker Table 7 (non-potable water) standard instead of Table 2, which is the provincial safety limit for potable groundwater in Intake Protection Zones.

In the September 8, 2025 Council meeting, the Director of Public Works effectively conceded this, stating: “At this point we’re testing for potable ground water due to the fact that we’re in an intake protection zone.”

Looking at the original test results the Town dismissed as “slightly elevated,” the reality is clear:

Lead (Pb) – Table 2 standard: 120 µg/g
Detected levels: 290, 230, 330, 210 µg/g
→ Up to ~2.7× over the standard

Cadmium (Cd) – Table 2 standard: 1.9 µg/g
Detected levels: 2.3, 4.0 µg/g
→ Up to ~2.1× over the standard

Zinc (Zn) – Table 2 standard: 340 µg/g
Detected level: 500 µg/g
→ About 1.5× over the standard

At the July 8, 2025 Council meeting, the Director also admitted that 5 of 10 new test pits exceeded Table 2 standards—but he did not disclose which contaminants, or in what amounts.

He further admitted the berms were built with waste from municipal projects, but would not identify which projects were the source.