Leak from barge leads to 'water emergency' in Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County's mayor has declared a water emergency because of contaminants leaking from a partially sunken barge and is asking people on the Picton-Bloomfield drinking water system to limit their water usage.
The county in southeastern Ontario said Tuesday night about 30 litres of an undetermined substance had leaked from the barge and had floated too close to a water intake pipe in Picton Bay, without actually going into the pipe.
A news release Tuesday night said those contaminants led to the temporary shutdown of the Picton-Bloomfield drinking water plant.
"The municipality has ensured that the drinking water system has been supplied with enough potable drinking water to handle demands until [Wednesday]," the release said.
"However, residents connected to the Picton-Bloomfield drinking water system are requested to limit their water consumption until the water emergency has been lifted."
The municipality is asking residents to watch its website for updates.
The barge sank Friday in the bay about 60 kilometres southwest of Kingston.
Municipal officials had said nothing leaked from the barge and there was no immediate danger to the water supply.
It was believed the partially submerged barge contains about 1,200 litres of diesel fuel and 100 litres of hydraulic fluid.
