MOE

*****UPDATE*****

The substance found in the Whitson River has been determined to be food-grade oil.

The Sudbury Health Unit says that poses no risk to humans and so the drinking water advisory has been lifted.

******************

By Angela Gemmill

The Ministry of Environment has set up booms in the Whitson River near Blezard Valley after an oily sheen was discovered yesterday near the Martin Road bridge area.

The drinking water advisory remains in place by the Sudbury & District Health Unit, as a precaution because investigators aren’t sure of the source of the substance.

Manager of Environment Health at the health Unit, Holly Brown, says the measure will be in place until the MOE determines what and where the contaminant came from.

Brown says the water is safe for doing laundry or bathing, but not bathing young children.

Anyone who draws from the Whitson River should not use the water for drinking, cooking or brushing teeth.

The booms are meant to prevent the unknown oil from spreading further downstream.