Island Health says drinking water is safe after Schnitzer Steel fire in Cassidy

Island Health says the drinking water from wells within the immediate vicinity of Schnitzer Steel in Cassidy is safe for consumption following the fire last week.

On Sept. 10, a fire broke out at the steel recycling yard; it took 70 firefighters two days to put it out. Water from drinking wells at neighbouring properties was sent for testing due to run-off from the fire.

The site reopened to the public on Sept. 14.

On Friday, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley Regional District said they had received correspondence from Island Health saying Island Health’s Medical Health Officers and Environmental Health team have “determined the chemical results are safely within the maximum allowable concentrations set in the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.”

There are no advisories related to the drinking water wells, or to the broader aquifers in the area. The water is considered safe for consumption, according to Island Health.

Island Health and its partners are developing an ongoing monitoring plan to determine that drinking water within the area remains safe for consumption, according to both Island Health and the districts.

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