Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 29/98) - It may very well become the $38,000 mistake.

That's how much it will cost the city to dump more than 12 million litres of water into Range Lake to replenish what was accidentally drained this spring.

That's almost enough to fill 17 Ruth Inch pools.

The city hasn't made the decision to spend the money yet, but the option was discussed when about 25 people, including city engineering officials and concerned residents gathered at Range Lake North school Tuesday night.

"Along with Mother Nature we will pursue filling the lake with the hydrant given appropriate regulatory approvals," said Gary Craig, director of public works and engineering for the city, on Wednesday.

While at the meeting, residents grilled officials on the how the water levels got so low and the effects on the neighborhood.

"I can't open my window any more because it stinks too much," said Gertrud Laferla, a Finlayson Drive resident since 1990.

The city told residents once again that the lake was lowered because city maintenance crews forgot to close a water-control gate last winter at the west end, causing the lake to drain during spring thaw.

The decision to drain water was a response to complaints from residents on the North side of Range Lake that water was leaking into their basements.

No one at the meeting had concerns about water leaking into their homes.

"The city shot from the hip," said Joseph Laferla, husband of Gertrud. And it didn't reflect taxpayers wishes, he added.

Residents wanted to know how many complaints have been made about water leakage and how long it would take to fill the lake to a desired level.

Craig said that, with council approval, he will start filling the lake.

"It might be days. It might be months. I'm hoping it's not months. I would not be surprised if it took days to think about it to make sure we're doing the right thing," he said.

Another problem residents brought to light about the low water levels was high arsenic levels at the bottom of the lake.

Craig said two soil samples from the lake showed arsenic levels of 71 and 96.5 micrograms per gram of soil. The national guideline for acceptable arsenic level is 12 micrograms per gram of soil.

Fraser Oliver, another resident of Finlayson Drive, wanted to know if the arsenic, levels warrant keeping children at home away from exposure. Some residents are worried that the arsenic will dry up and blow around, exposing children and adults to the carcinogen, said Oliver.

City could not respond

When the questioning subsided, residents recommended the city raise the lake to 190.6 metres up from 190.38, where it stood May 20 -- a rise of about 80 millimetres. Some residents said it would take that much to cover all the mud in the lake.

Craig said he would look into it and find out the cost.

To use chlorinated hydrant water, Craig said it could cost taxpayers $38,000 to fill the lake.

A second option was to run a temporary piping system from either Frame Lake or Kam Lake.

Craig said that would cost a significant amount, he had not detailed estimates.

Before the meeting adjourned everyone agreed to meet in two weeks to again revisit the issue and find a balance between residents complaining of leaky basements and those who want their lake back.

Meanwhile, Yellowknife South MLA Seamus Henry is confident that the city will do its best to replenish low water levels in Range Lake.

Henry made a statement in the legislative assembly on Wednesday.

"Residents of the area have many immediate concerns about this situation. Ranging from a foul stench around the lake where there is now exposed lake bed, lack of sufficient water levels to cover previously water-filled areas, potential harm to waterfowl with habitat in the area and most importantly a health risk due to potential emissions of arsenic from the now exposed sediments," said Henry.

The MLA said he talked with Brad Colpitts, manager of environmental health with Yellowknife Health and Social Services, and was assured there is no immediate risk or hazard to residents of the area.

"His department is continuing to monitor this situation and is working with the city to bring this matter to a close," he said.