Group still seeking answers about what’s polluting their beach area
N.S. Department of Lands and Forestry to test marsh around mouth of the Port Maitland River
Buffeted by a cold wind, close to a dozen concerned residents stood in a tight circle at the entrance to Port Maitland Beach on Oct. 16 to hear what MLA Zach Churchill and Yarmouth municipal Coun. Patti Durkee had to say about efforts taken to find the cause of river, harbour and beach pollution.
During the discussion, several residents mentioned seeing toilet paper and finding fecal matter on the beach and in the area.
“I’ve seen that pipe over there pushing out toilet paper, the whole works,” said one resident, referring to the outflow pipe from the sewer treatment plant.
“The Department of Environment’s assessment says that could not come out of there,” said MLA Zach Churchill.
“I think they’re pulling the wool over your eyes,” countered another resident.
“What we saw on the beach last summer was feces. It looked like there were a thousand little dogs that had pooped there,” the resident said.
This summer, Port Maitland Beach and Mavillette Beach were closed to swimmers for several weeks because of a high bacteria count.
On Oct. 15, the Municipality of Yarmouth joined in discussions about the persistent issue with several provincial departments: Fisheries and Aquaculture, Environment, Lands and Forestry, as well as MP Colin Fraser’s office and Churchill.
The goal was to discuss investigative processes and generate actions that could lead to substance identification.
As a result of that call, Lands and Forestry will be conducting follow-up testing of the water and of the marsh in the area around the mouth of the Port Maitland River.