Lake Massawippi water ban loosened, 4th town added

Residents in the towns of Hatley Township, North Hatley and Waterville in the Eastern Townships can start using tap water for basic household needs but should not drink or cook with it until the end of October, public health officials said Thursday.

And residents in a fourth town in the area, Ayer's Cliff, should also avoid consuming waterdrawn from Massawippi Lake, officials confirmed.

A series of tests conducted by the province's environment agency revealed the presence of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae bacteria, which contaminated the lake this past summer.

But concentration levels of the cyanobacteria are within acceptable levels set by the province, and do not pose a danger to people'shealth, public health officials said.

That means a blanket ban imposed on water drawn from the lake will be partially lifted.

More than 5,000 people who live in the area have been completely cut off from their usual water supply since Sept. 22, when they were told not to touch or drink the water because of concerns they could get sick from the cyanobacteria, which is toxic.

But residents can now shower, wash their hands and wash dishes using tap water, officials said.

But people should not drink the water, nor cook with it or use it to brush their teeth, because they could get sick, said Dr. Reno Proulx, who works with the region's public health department.

Tests done by Quebec's environment agency found the blue-green algae has invaded the lake in its entirety, with a high concentration in the lake's north side, near North Hatley.

The lake water will continue to be tested on a weekly basisuntil the end of October.

In the meantime, residents can pick up free bottled water at North Hatley's city hall on weekdays and weekends, between noon and 4 p.m. ET.