The presence of higher amounts of manganese in the municipal water supply in the Town of Casselman has been problematic during most of July, and dozens of residents are demanding a permanent solution be found.

Tap water was often yellow, sometimes a dark yellow or brown. The water source for the town is the South Nation River and manganese occurs naturally in it. But this year, manganese levels were reported by the Town at 0.45 milligrams per litre in early July, and on July 21, the level was up to one milligram per litre, according to a report by The Review on July 21. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) reported in August that the average in July was .39 milligrams per litre. Health Canada guidelines suggest that prolonged levels of 0.12 or higher are considered unacceptable for drinking.

At the beginning of July, when complaints to the Town began, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Chief Medical Officer of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), stated that the water was safe to drink because the high manganese was not continuous. Then on July 11, EOHU released an advisory saying that the water should not be given to infants, young children or the elderly.

The manganese levels had risen in the river partially due to dry weather and low water earlier in the summer. Since then, increased rainfall has diluted the water allowing manganese levels to decrease somewhat, but some residents say now that they do not trust the water and do not trust either the Ontario Clean Water Agency, the EOHU or municipal council statements about water safety.

Numerous residents have complained publicly on social media, even starting a Facebook page called Casselman Water Quality. They report that the water is staining laundry and clogging fixtures and appliances. Mayor of Casselman Genevieve Lajoie told CJRO that the water is safe because there has not been 10 days in a row of continuous higher levels.

Lajoie has stated she distrusts social media claims and will instead listen to OCWA. This raised the ire of some residents, resulting in a raucous council meeting on Aug. 2. A motion over three pages long about unspecified funding for finding solutions and setting up a committee was brought forward at the meeting. Three of the five council members voted against it, appearing to think it cumbersome, but not be against the concept of finding a way to fix the problem.

But solutions are not easy: Lajoie has met with engineers from J. L. Richards and Associates to produce a new master plan for water and wastewater infrastructure. Any solution is expensive and a new water source would require funding from other levels of government, and possibly cooperation if piped water comes from another municipality such as Clarence-Rockland.

CJRO interviewed Mayor Lajoie shortly before the Aug. 2 council meeting. Here is the story: