The source of the fecal bacteria in Turtle Creek, south of Revelstoke is currently unknown.
After complaints of sewage smell coming from the area, the City of Revelstoke took water samples, found high levels of fecal coliform and notified the Ministry of Environment of the results Mike Thomas, director of engineering, confirmed.
He said that the ministry is taking the lead on investigating the issue with Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
“At this time, the source and type of contamination in Turtle Creek is unknown,” said Carly Moran, media relations coordinator for the resort in an email.
The tests done by the city show high levels of fecal bacteria, however there is no visible signs of sanitary cross-contamination, indicating the issue is most likely not from sewage, Moran said.
“Revelstoke Mountain Resort will continue to work with the Ministry of the Environment to conduct more thorough sampling to determine the source and resolve the issue,” Moran said. “In the meantime, an upstream collection and diversion has been put in place to prevent further bacteria input in the creek and eliminate risk downstream.”
Jim Maitre, who lives near the Revelstoke Airport is concerned about how the watershed will be affected by the sewage.
He is also concerned about the wells in the area.
“I’m concerned about ongoing discharge from the resort as well,” he said. “I think a lot of us in the neighbourhood would just like to have some certainty that this is not ongoing.”
The Revelstoke Review has reached out to the Interior Health Authority, the Ministry of Environment for comment.
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