Now that clean-up efforts have concluded, the Ministry of the Environment is determining whether prosecution is warranted for Algoma Steel in response to an oil spill that started June 9 on the St. Marys River.
"The ministry is requiring that Algoma Steel submit a report that outlines the cause of the spill, impacts and preventative measures to prevent a re-occurrence," said Gary Wheeler, spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
An investigation into possible prosecution was initiated by the ministry.
"At this point commenting on the investigation would be inappropriate," said Wheeler.
In the meantime, Echo Bay Ontario's water intake at Lake George continues to be turned off as a precaution.
"In the interim, the community will continue to haul water from Bruce Mines and Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario)," said Wheeler.
"Algoma Steel continued monitoring the area of the intake over the weekend and we are collecting additional samples today and tomorrow, which will be analysed at our laboratory," said Wheeler. "We are comparing the results to the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards."
Results of the water testing will be reviewed with Algoma Public Health to determine next steps.
A spokesperson for APH declined to comment for this article, citing the ministry taking the lead on the water testing.
Recently, the Chippewa County Health Department, which had issued a no body contact advisory for Sugar Island’s North Shore Area, from West Shore Dr., north of 1 ½ Mile Rd., along Northshore Dr., and along E. Village Rd., determined that the oil has dissipated and body contact with the river water is no longer a threat.
