Residents in Charlo are expressing concern about their well-being following the discovery of elevated levels of persistent chemicals in the town’s water system. Over a hundred community members gathered at the Golden Age Club for a meeting to discuss the presence of these chemicals and the actions being taken by the local authorities to address the issue.
The chemicals in question, known as PFAS (pre- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are synthetic compounds that are resistant to breaking down in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” The detection of PFAS in Charlo’s water was confirmed on February 20 during a testing initiative conducted jointly by the municipalities and the provincial government.
Following urgent consultations with town officials on February 23, Charlo residents were temporarily supplied water from the neighboring community of Bois-Joli while efforts were underway to find a permanent solution. The public briefing on water quality in Heron Bay, which now includes Charlo following a recent amalgamation, was orchestrated by the province.
Health authorities revealed that two wells supplying water to Charlo exceeded Health Canada’s recommended standard of 30 nanograms per liter, with recorded concentrations measuring around 45 and 176 nanograms per liter. Deputy Mayor Denis McIntyre estimated that around 500 to 600 individuals were impacted by the contamination, prompting the immediate shutdown of the affected wells.
Residents, like Kevin Murphy, expressed dissatisfaction with the available information and sought more clarity on potential health implications from PFAS exposure. Dr. Rita Gad, the regional medical officer of health, highlighted health risks associated with PFAS exposure, including concerns such as elevated cholesterol levels and increased risks of certain health conditions.
Efforts are being made to find a lasting solution for Charlo residents, with plans to monitor water quality closely and adhere to Health Canada’s guidelines on PFAS. The source of the PFAS contamination in Charlo remains unidentified, and private well owners, like Margo LeBlanc, are advocating for more attention to be paid to their situation.
Municipal officials are actively exploring various options, including the installation of PFAS-filtering systems, a new well construction, or connecting to alternate water sources to resolve the water supply issue in Charlo. Deputy Mayor McIntyre emphasized the importance of seeking support from both provincial and federal authorities to address the problem effectively and efficiently.