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2 - The Canadien Champion, Felday, January 7, 2000 Our Water woes continue ~Bacteria shuts down Glen Eden water ousiness section is published every second Friday. If you have a feature idea, cali us at 878-2341. Bob Burchett. "We have fuil clearance from the health department," he said. 'We're delighted we've gone off the bottled water." The trouble began when a randora pre- Christmas water sample test revealled a slight elevation in the bacteria total col- iforra. That serves as a kind of warning signal for water systeras. While hartnless in itself, the theory is if it can survive in the drinking water, 50 can other, more harmful bacteria types. By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Bacteria detected in the spring- fed water system at Glen Eden Ski Area forced its chalet to mn on boîtled water throughout the holiday season. But a January 5 clearance from the Halton Regional Health Department (HRHD) means tap water is now flowing freely at the chalet, said Conservation Halton's director of conservation landa I I. e e e. a a I * o o I. * I I* s *. h i S I .5 S _____ ~ TTVOI AIW~ GSI' DISCONTINUED FLoQII./ O DowN O INTEREST CLEAPANCE MERCHANDISE MARKDOWN' THE YEAR 2001!' "lastorîcally there have been problems with the water pressure and the water quality. This was one mark over an acceptable level. I'd suspect that many ofyour readers with wells have couRts weil over what we've had." - .~T "The counts are juat indicators that theoe'a a problem, sud HRHD ares mais- ager Tony Amalfa. i'hey're not indicatora of an outbreak." Continuous monitoring of park water sources sa done intemally, explained Mr. Burehett. And random testa are also taken by the HRHD throughout the ski season. A total coliform count of between zero and five is conaidered acceptable. But when it soars to six, as il did recent- ly aI Glen Eden, an altemate water source muaI k provided 10 prevent a ahut down of the facility. "We have to consider who's at risk," ssid Mr. Amalfa. "Where we do see counts in public facilities, we deem Ihe water to k unsafe until changea are made. In Glen Eden's case, reaction was swift. A new chlorinating system was immedi- ately installed as a cost of about $1.500. "We npped the old chiorination system out and put a new one in." said Mr. Burchett. But in order for the bottled water to be shetved, zero counts have to be found swo days running. "Once you have a negative tett, you have to clear one test, then another 24 hours later," saîd Mr. Burchett. "Well, with the holidaya, the lab wasn't open. When water samples were finally tested, the Hamilton lab mailed their resulta back to the ski area, causing a fursher delay. Once they arrived, shough, the resuits showed a zero bacteria count in four sepa- rate samples. 'You can't get better han that," said Mr. Burchett. Water woes aren't new to the reaort, he added, though public health bas neyer been at rsk. "Hîstorically there have been problems with the water pressure and she water quai- ity." said Mr. Burchett. "This was one mark over an acceptable level. I'd suspect that many of your readers with wells have counts well over what we've had." The coliform count at Glen Eden waan't alarming, but the HRHD is looking for no hint of the indicator bacteria. said Mr. Amalfa. "Their counts were very low but we're looking for zero," he said. "In the meantime they've been on alter- nate water supplies to proteet the public."