The Ministry of the Environment is investigating a manure spill in Brooke-Alvinston.
MOE Spokesperson Lindsay Davidson says the ministry was first alerted of the problem on May 22.
Two residents called the ministry’s spills hotline after finding hog manure had spilled into a municipal drain near Ebenezer Road. It’s not clear how much of the manure made it into the water.
Brooke-Alvinston officials were first called to the area and confirmed there was manure coming from a tiled drain that flowed into the municipal drain.
The next day, ministry staff inspected the area and talked to municipal staff and neighbours.
Davidson says staff also found “impacts to the drain with approximately 12 dead fish and dead worms near by.”
Investigators were able to confirm liquid manure had been applied May 22 and there was also a manure lagoon in the area that according to the MOE appeared to be near capacity.
Samples from the drain have been taken to the lab for analysis.
Davidson says the ministry contacted the farm owners and discussed the complaint and will follow up with them.
