The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is advising residents that the municipal drinking water supply remains safe following the fire at the Greenfield Global facility.
At no time during the incident was the municipal potable water system compromised. Normal water pressure was maintained throughout the Chatham water distribution system, and the elevated water tank remained well above the level required to support fire protection needs.
“The municipal water and wastewater systems continued to operate as intended throughout the incident,” said Darren Galbraith, general manager of the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission. “Precautionary measures were taken to protect the wastewater system while the emergency response was underway, and the potable water supply was never compromised.”
Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission operations for both the municipal water and wastewater systems experienced no adverse effects from the fire. Despite the proximity of the Chatham water treatment plant to the Thames River, Chatham-Kent does not draw its drinking water from the river, and residents do not need to take any action regarding their municipal drinking water because of the incident.
Environmental response and cleanup activities are continuing in the area of the Greenfield Global site. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has acknowledged its responsibility for the cleanup and is working closely with Greenfield Global on those activities.
The ministry has been made aware of localized fish mortality observed in the Thames River in the vicinity of the Greenfield Global site. It has yet to be determined whether the observations are related to the incident. The ministry is working with Greenfield Global to assess conditions in the area and address any environmental impacts.
Residents who observe environmental concerns in the area are encouraged to report them to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks at 519-948-1464 or through its online Report Pollution and Spills service.
The municipality said it will continue to support the response and provide updates as confirmed information becomes available.
