Due to historic mine tailings contamination, Northern Health advises the public to avoid contact with sandy areas and sediment in wading areas along the shoreline of Jack of Club Tailings Beach and Visitor Centre Beach in the District of Wells.
Mine tailings can contain arsenic, lead, and other metals which can be harmful to health through contact, ingestion, or if disturbed. The public is advised to not play or recreate on, or disturb the ground or sediment, and to not swim in, or have contact with, the lake located within the advisory areas. Until further notice, use lake access points outside the advisory area.
This advisory will remain in effect until further notice, pending detailed assessment and site investigation, hazard control, and clean up, and the existing health hazard has been resolved to the satisfaction of Northern Health.
When more information is available, Northern Health will update this advisory.
The two areas are located along Highway 26, easily accessible by motorists. Wells is the nearest community while historic Barkerville is also further along on the highway.
For further information on the advisory please contact Northern Health Environmental Public Health at 250 565-7322 or via email at php@northernhealth.ca
For information on the assessments and investigations of the advisory sites please contact provincial, Crown Contaminated Sites Program (CCSP) at 1-250-387-9730 or contaminated.sites@gov.bc.ca.
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