Mine gets green light to divert water from lake with pipe

NEWS/ MOUNT POLLEY — Imperial Metals has been given a green light to use a discharge pipe to divert the build-up of water in Polley Lake into Hazeltine Creek.

The outlet from Polley Lake had become plugged with debris and officials were concerned about rising water levels in the lake.

The Environment Ministry said today water samples taken from the shore of Polley Lake on Aug. 7 have been tested and are very close to historical levels prior to Monday’s tailings pond breach at Imperial Mines.

Based on the “encouraging” water sample results from Polley Lake, the Province and the Interior Health Authority have given the OK for the discharge pipe into Hazeltine Creek. The water will then flow downstream into Quesnel Lake where it will be tested daily.

“By controlling the releases of Polley Lake water into Quesnel Lake as soon as possible, it will significantly lower the potential risk to human health over the following days,” the ministry said.

Once the water level is reduced to a safe level, technicians will begin water and sediment sampling in Hazeltine Creek. The map of the discharge pipe route is available at: http://wwwt.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/incidents/2014/pdf/PolleyLakeDischagePlan_20140808.pdf.

The ministry said controlled release of excess water with a discharge pipe will help to stabilize the area and reduce the risk of a breach and further sediments reaching Quesnel Lake.

Despite the continued positive results from water testing, the “do not use” order for Quesnel Lake and Polley Lake remains in place until further independent sample results from Polley Lake are reviewed over the next couple of days.