Environment and Conservation
Heath and Community Services
December 17, 2012

Public Advisory: Water Advisory Issued for South Brook

The Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Health and Community Services advise that a non-consumption water advisory has been issued for the Town of South Brook as the result of a failure of the tailings dam at the former Gullbridge mine site. The area of failure is approximately 50 metres wide and the full height of the dam.

Under a non-consumption water advisory, residents should not drink the water or use it for cooking, washing food, brushing teeth, or making juices, baby formulas and ice. At this time, washing clothes, washing dishes, bathing and handwashing are considered safe. Further precautions may be warranted as more information becomes available. The non-consumption water advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

The main water supply for the Town of South Brook is located 20 kilometres downstream from the former Gullbridge dam, and a Class III scheduled salmon river is also in the area. South Brook is located on Route 380 of the Trans Canada Highway, east of Deer Lake and west of Grand Falls-Windsor.

Officials are currently on site to conduct water sampling and evaluate the situation regarding long-term repair possibilities. Water sampling will be conducted on an ongoing basis, and an update will be provided as more information becomes available.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

2012 12 17                                2:00 p.m.