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Bacteria contamination that caused the late summer closure of the swimming area at Petawawa’s Centennial Park is the result of something upstream from the town in the Petawawa river.
What that something is or how far upstream it is occurring remains to be discovered.
During the latest meeting of Petawawa’s recreation committee, recreation director Campbell McKie told committee members the water quality problem that has caused closures of the swimming area at Centennial Park during August for the past two years is also present in the Petawawa river, outside of the “catwalk” swimming area.
Last week, Mr. McKie received the results of summer water quality testing by the Renfrew County and District Health Unit. The testing indicated the bacteria levels outside the catwalk in the Petawawa river were even greater than the levels inside the swimming area.
“Now we know for sure the problem is above the catwalk and not at the catwalk itself,” Mr. McKie told council.
The contamination is primarily bacteria or fecal matter, he said.
Continuing, Mr. McKie said it is not the mandate of the health unit to monitor the water quality of the Petawawa river, therefore, if the committee wishes to know how far up the Petawawa river the contamination exists in order to help determine its origin, Mr. McKie said it would be the town’s responsibility to have the testing conducted.
Mitch Stillman, chief administrative officer, suggested that sampling be done throughout the spring and summer next year to help determine when and where the problem occurs.
Pembroke Daily Observer