Ministry says levels higher at some spots, but cleanup is progressing
The Ministry of the Environment is reporting a high level of PCBs around the former GM site in St. Catharines.
Officials from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks addressed council last night.
The ministry says tests were conducted in the first half of the year.
The results show some parts of the property have higher PCB levels than the Provincial Water Quality Objectives.
Officials say action needs to be taken to prevent PCBs from entering the stormwater, though the owner does have a plan.
Niagara Public Health says based on the sampling, there is no reason to believe nearby residents are at an increased risk.
Councillor Joe Kushner tells us the ministry is cleaning up the majority of 20 oil pits. "Then the MTO indicated there are higher levels than what they like in the sewer containment. That is being rectified, so on balance, it was a very good outcome."
He also pointed out where the PCBs are going.
"Once it's discharged from the stormsewer, it does go into 12 Mile Creek. It's diluted then, because there are other stormsewers connecting to the outflow," he says.
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