Amid ongoing water quality advisory Northern Health offers insight into Shady Acres notices

FOR ST. JOHN, B.C. -- Northern Health has offered some insight into what led to a do not consume order at a Charlie Lake trailer park.

There's an ongoing water quality advisory due to manganese levels in the water at the Shady Acres trailer park

In late April there was also a bacterial concern. Northern Health said previously reported elevated levels of e coli and fecal coliform were due to a contaminated test sample at a single point in the system.

However, the health authority implemented an initial boil water advisory for the health of Shady Acres residents on April 29. However, Northern Health decided a do not consume order was more appropriate on May 2.

A spokesperson said that's because boiling water could concentrate already elevated manganese levels already present in the water. But, the manganese levels have been above Health Canada’s maximum acceptable concentration for over two years.

Northern Health spokesperson Eryn Collins said “A boil water notice is usually the immediate step when there is contamination in the water. Something that can seriously affect peoples health on a short term basis. If there is fecal coliform in the water that can make people very very ill and have even worse outcomes."

Yet even with the do not consume order lifted in mid-May, the manganese levels prompted a water quality advisory.

Northern Health says manganese levels have not changed in the water system over the years, rather guidelines have. Health Canada lowered the level of how much manganese is acceptable in 2019.

Collins said “It’s not that the water quality or anything about the water changed. It’s that Health Canada implemented a maximum acceptable concentration.”

Northern Health says the water operator is providing bottled water upon request for those populations at high risk of effects from drinking water with elevated manganese. Studies suggest consuming water with elevated manganese can have neurological effects in young children.

Northern Health has ordered corrective action and said the water system provider is conducting further sampling. That will determine the best steps to lower manganese levels in the water system.