Chapleau Drinking Water Advisory Continues

Chapleau residents are being warned against consuming the water - but there is an option to get some usable water.

While the Township says a drinking water advisory remains in effect, it has received permission to distribute potable water to residents who attend the Water Treatment Plant with their own containers, with supervised watering stations open from 8 am to 6 pm today, and from 9 am to noon tomorrow - residents are reminded to adhere to public health guidelines for COVID-19.

The advisory was issued Wednesday night, after the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plant - pressure's since been restored, but Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns the loss "created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water".

It won't be lifted until after testing of two water samples taken 24 hours apart - the health unit will then review the results and decide whether to lift the advisory.

Until then, residents are reminded not to use the water for human consumption, such as: brushing teeth; washing uncooked fruits and vegetables; cooking; drinking; or making juice, infant formula, or ice - not even if it's boiled first, as that still may not make it safe for drinking.

The water can be used for laundry or bathing, but not small children who could swallow it.

Chapleau Setting Up Watering Stations Amid Drinking Water Advisory

The Township of Chapleau remains under a water advisory after problems at the water treatment plant last night - but residents are being offered a way to get water.

The Township says it has received permission to distribute potable water to residents who attend the Water Treatment Plant with their own containers, with supervised watering stations open until 8 o'clock tonight, from 8 am to 6 pm tomorrow, and from 9 am to noon on Saturday - residents are reminded to adhere to public health guidelines for COVID-19.

The advisory was issued last night, after the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plan - while pressure's since been restored, Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns the loss "created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water", advising against using the water for human consumption until testing indicates it's safe.

According to the Township, a flushing program was performed last night, with results showing the discolouration was minimal and chlorine residual levels were within the acceptable range, but the advisory can't be lifted until testing of two water samples taken 24 hours apart - the health unit will then review the results and decide whether to lift the advisory.

Until then, residents are reminded not to the water for: brushing teeth; washing uncooked fruits and vegetables; cooking; drinking; or making juice, infant formula, or ice - not even if it's boiled first, as that still may not make it safe for drinking.

The water can still be used for laundry or bathing, but not for small children who could swallow it.

More COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Region

Several more cases have been confirmed in the region.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting its 211th case, which is located in Greater Sudbury and stems from close contact with a previously confirmed case - that leaves it with 22 "active" cases.

The neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit's confirmed its 105th case - which is located in Timmins, and is still under investigation - leaving it with three "active", while the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting eleven more - all in the Thunder Bay area, stemming from close contact with a known case - bringing its total to 200, 58 of which are "active".

Algoma Public Health - which last reports a case on Sunday - has three "active".

Update on Chapleau Drinking Water Advisory

The Township of Chapleau remains under a water advisory after problems at the water treatment plant last night.

While the Township says the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plant, it notes pressure's since been restored, though a drinking water advisory's in effect until further notice, as Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns the loss of pressure "created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water", advising against using the water for human consumption until testing indicates it's safe.

That means residents should not use the water for such as brushing teeth, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, cooking, drinking, or making juice, infant formula, or ice - not even if it's boiled first, as that still may not make it safe for drinking - though the water can still be used for laundry or bathing, but not for small children who could swallow it.

The Township flushed the water mains last night, as the loss of pressure caused sediment in the water mains to be "agitated", resulting in discolouration, though it adds this may need to be repeated, depending on water sample test results.

Chapleau Under Drinking Water Advisory

The Township of Chapleau's under a water advisory after problems at the water treatment plant.

A statement from the Township explains the distribution system lost pressure because of equipment failure at the plant last night, and - even though pressure's been restored - a drinking water advisory's in effect until further notice.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts warns residents should not use the water for human consumption - such as drinking, making juice, infant formula, or ice, cooking, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth - further warning boiling the water still may not make it safe for drinking - instead, it advises an alternate source like bottled water should be used, though it should still be boiled for making infant formula.

The health unit does note the water can still be used for laundry or bathing, though not for bathing small children who could swallow the water.

Health Protection Division Manager Burgess Hawkins explains the advisory, noting "the loss of water pressure created conditions that compromised the safety of the drinking water", and "until bacteriological testing of the drinking water indicates a safe supply, the drinking water advisory will remain in effect as a precaution".

Those seeking more information about the advisory are referred to the health unit.

More COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Neighbouring Regions

Dozens of new cases have been confirmed in the Thunder Bay area.

The neighbouring Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting a total of 24 new cases - it's unclear how two of the people were exposed, while the others stem from close contact with a known case.

An outbreak's also been declared at a Thunder Bay long-term care home, as a staff member tested positive - so far, no-one else at the facility have been identified as showing symptoms.

This brings that health unit to 189 reported cases, 52 of which are currently "active" - including one in hospital.

The Porcupine Health Unit's reported its 105th case - leaving it with three "active" - while Public Health Sudbury and Districts still has 21 "active" and Algoma Public Health has four.

PHSD Reports 210th COVID-19 Case

More COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the region.

Figures on the Public Health Sudbury and Districts website show 210 total cases - up one from yesterday, evidently located in Greater Sudbury and stemming from close contact with a previously confirmed case.

Sixteen more cases are now considered "resolved", leaving the health unit with 27 "active".

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit's confirmed five more cases in the Thunder Bay area - all stemming from close contact with known cases - bringing its total cases to 165, 41 of which are "active", all in the Thunder Bay area.

Algoma Public Health's recorded several more "resolved" cases - leaving it with four "active" - while the neighbouring Porcupine Health Unit has two "active" cases.

Chapleau to Seek PUC Board Members

Chapleau will be looking for prospective members of the Chapleau Public Utilities Corporation (Chapleau Hydro)'s board of directors.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains there are five members of the board, with three of those seats open, due to changes made early in his term, staggering their terms.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Chapleau PUC Terms
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque says the three "civilian" members are able to re-apply, but all interested residents are encouraged to apply.

The other two seats are filled by Council members, which change in line with Council terms.

Wawa Council Holding Back-to-Back Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold back-to-back meetings tonight.

First up is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, with the agenda including a COVID-19 update, a "Continuity of Operations Plan", and annual review of the procedural by-law.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, set to include resolutions rescheduling December meetings and supporting a 2nd annual Ice Candle Celebration Day, and a by-law to adopt a new Code of Conduct and Ethics for Employees.

There are also four "in-camera" items: a personnel issue about staffing; a legal issue about employee benefits; a legal issue relating to a Code of Conduct complaint; and a "corporate matter" about "Municipal Transformation".

Aside from the "in-camera" portion, the meetings will broadcast on the Muncipality of Wawa's YouTube channel, starting at 6:30 tonight.

More COVID-19 Cases Reported in Algoma & Sudbury

Algoma's confirmed its 58th case of COVID-19.

The health unit says the case stems from close contact with a known case, and is located in the Central and East Algoma area - it adds there is evidence of community spread in that region, which has seen fewer than five cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

Combined with more recoveries, APH has ten "active" cases.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts - meanwhile - has confirmed two more cases - bringing its total to 209 - one is located in Greater Sudbury and stems from an outbreak - the health unit's only reporting one at this time, at Pioneer Manor in Greater Sudbury - though details about the other case aren't being provided, as the health unit has changed how it reports cases, dropping individual case announcements in favour of twice daily updates of figures on weekdays, or once per day on weekends.

PHSD - which entered the province's yellow "Protect" category of restrictions at midnight this morning - currently has 43 "active" cases.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed twelve more cases in the Thunder Bay area over the weekend - leaving it with 37 "active" cases, while the Porcupine Health Unit has three "active" cases.

ADSB Students Staying Home for "Transition Day"

Algoma District School Board students are staying home today, as the board transitions its elementary schools to a hybrid learning model.

The English public school board says elementary and secondary students are staying home for a "transition" day, having been provided with work on Friday.

Students can have "touch base time" with teachers via Microsoft Teams - for elementary students, it's 1:30 pm to 2 pm and for secondary students, it's 11 am to 11:30 am with their morning teacher and 2 pm to 2:30 pm with their afternoon teacher.

The move comes as the board's reorganizing elementary classrooms to blend virtual and physical students into one class, expected to be the final re-shuffle of the year, helping alleviate a teacher shortage.

High school students are not swapping to a hybrid model, though they are transitioning to "a new quadmester", with the hybrid model to be considered for the second semester, which starts in February.

Chapleau Council Hopes for Improvements to Truck Load Check

Chapleau's hoping for some improvements to a truck load check just outside of town.

Mayor Michael Levesque explains Town Council is concerned that the spot on Highway 129 has been getting "ugly and messy" as there is no trash receptacle or porta-potty, unlike other areas.

Mayor Michael Levesque Explains CTC Truck Stop Request
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque says Council's putting the request to the Ministry of Transportation.

PHSD Reports More COVID-19 Cases While Moving to Yellow "Protect" Category

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a few more COVID-19 cases, as tighter restrictions are implemented for the region.

The provincial government announced late Friday that the health unit is entering the yellow "Protect" category of its recently implemented tiered restriction framework, limiting hours of operation for certain settings, reducing recreational program sizes, adding enforcement and fines, and enhancing education for high-risk settings.

Speaking Friday, the health unit's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, noted case counts were at an all-time high with 42 of its 204 total cases reported over the previous week - and an average of 12 "high risk" contacts for each case - emphasizing the tougher restrictions "must be accompanied by a re-commitment of everyone to the basic public health prevention measures", limiting travel outside the home to essential purposes, limiting in-person social interactions to those in your household, staying home if you have any symptoms of illness - even mild - physically distancing and wearing proper face coverings properly while out, and practising proper hand washing.

The health unit reported three more cases over the weekend - two in Greater Sudbury, one in the Manitoulin District - one is outbreak-related, the other two still under investigation - the only active outbreak in the region is the Pioneer Manor long-term care home in Greater Sudbury, though the health unit warns of potential high-risk exposure for anyone who attended the Foothill Farm Service farm equipment garage in Massey between November 4th and 6th.

PHSD has reported a total of 207 cases, 51 of which are still "active", while Algoma Public Health has 12 "active" - it remains in the green "Prevent" category.

Local MP Wants Tourism and Hospitality Jobs Protected

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing's NDP MP is calling on the federal government to protect tourism and hospitality jobs.

Citing speculation about bailouts for airlines, Carol Hughes notes travel-related businesses of all sizes are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, warning over 200,000 Canadian workplaces that support 1.8-million jobs are in danger, with the employees already facing numerous challenges due to the part-time or seasonal nature of many of the jobs, let alone the closures, stunted openings, and changes to pandemic relief programs.

In response, Hughes is calling for "sectoral relief" for the hospitality and air transport sectors to be contingent on full participation in the federal wage subsidy program, tying existing jobs to recovery efforts and ensuring the workers continue to receive a paycheque, though she also wants the government to make support conditional on a right of first refusal for laid off hospitality and tourism workers, as they currently have no guarantee former employers will restore their jobs or offer them back when the pandemic subsides.

PHSD Reports 12 More COVID-19 Cases

Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting several more cases.

The health unit has confirmed twelve more - nine in Greater Sudbury, three in unspecified Sudbury District communities - seven are outbreak-related - the health unit has reported one at the Pioneer Manor long-term care home in Greater Sudbury - while one stems from close contact with a known case, and the other four are still under investigation.

It brings the health unit's total to 204, 66 of which are currently "active".

Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit's reporting five more cases in the Thunder Bay area, bringing its total to 148, 29 of which are "active".

Algoma Public Health - which reported its 57th case Tuesday night - currently has twelve "active" - all in the Sault Ste. Marie area - while the Porcupine Health Unit has four.

Deadline Nears for Prospective Chapleau Library Board Members

Time's running out for prospective members of Chapleau's library board.

A notice on the Township's website invites residents and ratepayers to volunteer, noting it's "an opportunity to learn about and work with Committee issues", requiring volunteers to devote at least two hours a month to the position.

Those interested are asked to submit a letter of intent by noon on Monday, November 16th - full details on how to apply are on the Township's website.

Chapleau Council Addresses Multiple Fire Department-Related Items

Chapleau's fire department was a key focus in this week's Council meeting.

Several fire department-related items were discussed Monday night, and Mayor Michael Levesque explains one was a purchase order for a replacement pump for pumper number three, financed by the Fire Department Reserve Fund.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Purchase Order for Fire Pumper Pump
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque notes Council also approved a change in the fire department ranks.

Mayor Michael Levesque Welcomes New Chapleau Firefighter
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM News

Mayor Levesque says Council was also advised of an increase in pay for firefighters.

Mayor Michael Levesque on Firefighter Honorarium Increase
Daniel Walker/JJAM FM Radio

In addition to the fire department-related items, Council also approved a $12,700 purchase order to replace the airport garage furnace, which was included in this year's capital budget.

Wawa Food Bank Cancels 2020 Feed The Need

The Wawa Community Food Bank has cancelled a major holiday season fundraiser.

Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the local food bank says volunteers have made the "difficult decision" to cancel this year's "Feed the Need" event, which is traditionally held later this month - the organization notes concerns about the safety of sponsors, attendees, and volunteers, saying that comes first, though it suggest a possible event in the spring.

Last year's "Feed the Need" raised over 800 items for the food bank, with more than $1900 in monetary donations.

This does, however, come less than two weeks after Northern Lights Ford dropped off two trucks of donations stemming from its October-long "Northern Lights Ford Scares Hunger" campaign, which was supported by local schools, health care workers, and residents.

Cart (0)