Arsenic leaking into lake?

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

The Lesser Slave Lake Region’s environmental watchdog is putting pressure on the Alberta government to properly clean a contaminated site in Faust which may contain arsenic. The Regional Environmental Action Committee is proceeding through the Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act to get a copy of a report, commissioned by Alberta Environment, pertaining to contamination at the old Osmose site in Faust. REAC issued a news release outlining their actions saying it is their duty to research and determine types of pollution which negatively affect the local environment. “. . .to identify sources of such pollution and to disseminate research results to the public,” says chair Doug Badger. “In partnership with the Lesser Slave Lake Watershed Council and Alberta Environment, we are presently monitoring water entering the Lesser Slave Lake for contaminants.” The Osmose site in Faust has long been a contentious issue for local residents and REAC. In the 1970s, a pole treatment plant in Faust used arsenic to chemically treat telephone poles. The plant exploded. The company owning the plant went bankrupt, so clean-up by Alberta Environment took place in the 1990s. Today, the plant’s location remains enclosed by a fence. REAC says clean-up is still incomplete. “We have learned there is a groundwater plume at this location, but attempts to learn more have not been successful,” says Badger. “EBA Engineering completed a report in 2004 that gives more information on this subject. We have been requested to go through the FOIP process to access this report.” REAC is testing two locations downstream from the site for arsenic contamination and promises to keep the public posted. The M.D. of Big Lakes council discussed the matter at its Nov. 14 meeting. “What are we going to do about it?” asked Reeve Alvin Billings. Faust Councillor Violet Campiou agreed with REAC’s assessment. “No, they didn’t clean it up,” says Campiou. Council immediately passed a motion to write Ted Morton, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development minister, demanding the site be cleaned.

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