Georgina
August 27, 2008 09:18 PM
John Slykhuis
Council finally got some good news about the tube and terrain park hill as water test results showed contaminants are now at acceptable levels and, in some cases, undetectable.
Two more series of tests will be conducted in September and November to see if the trend is continuing.
Consultants told council Monday the latest tests conducted in March, April, May and June show declining amounts of the chemical, phthalate, with the latest test results in July showing levels below limits set by the Ministry of Environment and York Region.
Two wells were first installed on the hill last February for testing prior to the de-watering process.
After tests showed the presence of phthalates, six additional shallow monitoring wells were installed, then more for a total of 19.
Phthalates are common and used in several products including fishing lures, nail polish, adhesives, paint pigments, perfume, household appliances and plastics.
Scientific tests have shown large amounts of phthalates damage the liver and testes of rodents and there is a possible link between allergies in children, including asthma.
The use of some phthalates has been banned in some countries and Health Canada is in process of banning certain phthalates in products intended for young children, replacing the voluntary ban which is in place.
Council had been asked to approve another 12-month test program at a cost of $50,000, but concurred with the consultants that three consecutive clean test results would likely be enough.
“How long do you continue to test? For the rest of your life?” Mayor Rob Grossi said.
Both the Ministry of Environment and the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority will be sent the latest results and asked to comment on the proposed testing schedule.
So far, $60,000 has been spent on testing.
The latest approval is for a maximum of $10,000, pending further test results.
The record heavy rainfall is the cause of much of the declining amounts of phthalates, council heard.
Pinpointing the location of the chemical could be difficult because of the continuing shifting fill on the hill makes it dangerous, council was told, however the consultants said it is likely they are spread throughout the hill.
A process to remove excess moisture from inside the tube and terrain park hill has a good chance of succeeding, council was told last year.
Part of the fill, removed for the Willow Beach water and sewer project, was frozen when it was dumped.
As it thawed, moisture was released into the hill, causing the slope to collapse.