Residents concerned about possible water contamination following Eastway Tank blast
Residents in Ottawa's Pineglen neighbourhood are voicing concerns about possible contamination to their drinking water as a result of the Eastway Tank explosion.
"They keep telling us the risk is low but it's been mostly based on the fact that the ground is frozen," said Agnes Warda with the Glens Community Association.
Multiple investigations into the cause of the blast and fire that followed on Jan. 13 are ongoing. Six people were killed.
"We not only worry what will happen in the spring, we also worry what will happen in a year's time or even in the longer term because, as you know, whatever comes through the ground eventually comes through the water but it goes slowly," Warda said.
Some former Eastway Tank employees, including the son of one of the victims, have alleged numerous safety issues at the site including previous fires, improper chemical storage and dumping material by the train tracks. The president and owner of the company says the allegations are unfounded.
In a statement to CTV News about the allegations last week, Neil Green wrote in part, "Eastway Tank has always worked to maintain the highest safety standards. We are working closely with investigators and are cooperating fully to get to the bottom of what happened."
A Ministry of Environment spokesman said there continues to be a low risk to the environment from the fire.
"The ministry is working to ensure that any environmental impacts are identified and addressed by the property owner before spring," the statement said. "At this time, there continues to be a low risk to the environment from the Eastway fire given current extreme winter conditions.
"Resident concerns about fuel are a key part of the ministry’s ongoing assessment at the site; they are taken very seriously."
Warda and others are looking for clearer answers long-term.
"We feel fine that when they say we are not in immediate danger but we would like to know what will happen next."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.