FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. -- Northern Health saying tap water at a Charlie Lake trailer park is safe to consume again, but a water quality advisory remains in place.
The concern over bacterial contamination at Shady Acres has been resolved. Northern Health saying 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, manganese levels above Health Canada’s guidelines have been in Shady Acres water since 2020. The health authority says concentrations in the trailer park are around 2.0 milligrams per litre while the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) is below 0.12 milligrams per litre.
While manganese is essential for humans, Health Canada updated the MAC for drinking water in 2019 with studies suggesting consuming increased levels have neurological effects in young children.
Eryn Collins a spokesperson for Northern Health said “"Water system operators themselves were notified of the change in the Maximum Acceptable Concentration change at the Health Canada level in 2019/2020 when that change was made.”
Northern Health says the advisory is intended to protect infants and babies living at Shady Acres. That population is most at risk for manganese consumption, so baby formula, for example, should be mixed with bottled water.
Although adults are at lower risk when consuming the tap water, Northern Health says they can choose bottled water or a treatment system for their home.
Information about manganese has been distributed to residents. Sterling Management Services and Northern Health are working to reduce Manganese in the water.
A supply of bottled water is available for residents with infants or small children.
