Provincial Government Updates Municipalities on Water Chlorination

As a result of further investigation into the chlorine contaminated with a scent agent, the Department of Environment and Conservation has been advised that a number of municipalities throughout the province have been using chlorine that is not certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).  This finding is the result of the follow up investigation conducted by Health Canada at the request of the department. 

�Since the recent discovery of a scent agent in the chlorine used by various municipalities, my department has worked very closely with Health Canada to ensure the continued safety of our water supplies,� said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation.  �Although this is not a health-risk issue, we are taking a precautionary approach by contacting all municipalities.�

One Atlantic distributor which supplies bulk chlorine carrying the required NSF/60 standard also supplies chlorine in smaller containers.  These smaller containers, which are used by many municipalities in this province, do not carry the NSF/60 certification.

On the basis of advice provided by both Health Canada and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services, the Department of Environment and Conservation advises that while awaiting certified product, it is important to continue the chlorination of public water supply systems.  Boil water advisories are not necessary while municipalities continue using non NSF/60 certified product, before replacing it with NSF/60 certified chlorine.

Beginning this evening, all municipalities in the province using liquid chlorination are being contacted and advised to continue chlorinating until they obtain a certified product. 

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Media contact:
Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications (Acting)
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575; 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca

2008 02 08                                                                    9:15 p.m.