Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Trout Lake (June 21/02) - Trout Lake is famous for its plentiful fish, but finding aquatic life in the community's reservoir has turned some band member's stomachs.

The fish -- ranging from the size of sardines to approximately 25 cm long -- and algae that were in the reservoir didn't pose a health hazard, said acting senior environmental health officer Craig Nowakowski, who performed an inspection last week.

The large, open tank, which holds up to a two-year supply of water for the 65 residents, was promptly drained and scrubbed.

It had not been properly cleaned since it was installed five years ago, according to a Trout Lake resident who asked not to be named.

Ron McCagg, area manager for public works in Fort Simpson, said the Sambaa K'e band had been under contract to wash out the reservoir. At a minimum, the basins are supposed to be cleaned every three years, according to territorial government standards.

"We had thought they were doing this," said McCagg. "It was just an oversight."

Tested often

He added that water testing is done routinely in all communities under his department's jurisdiction and "we've never had a bad sample.

"The water is chlorinated. It does meet the Canadian standards and it did all along too," McCagg said.

Nowakowski said he figures the fish got into the reservoir through the intake line, which taps into nearby Trout Lake.

However, the fish and algae couldn't have infiltrated the water delivery truck because of a screen on the pump-house, he said.

"With the algae in the water, sometimes in the summer when it's nice and warm it might give an off-taste or an off-odour, but, again, it's not a health concern, it's more aesthetics," said Nowakowski.

"The chlorine would ensure the safety of the water by killing off any potential bacteria." Regardless, the Trout Lake source said most people have been collecting rain in barrels or using ice melt for drinking water for years, reserving the tap water for showers, laundry and dishes.

The community had originally asked the government for a water treatment plant, but wound up with the open reservoir instead, the source added.