Manure spill possible cause of Castor River fish deaths
An animal manure spill is suspected as the possible cause in the deaths of hundreds of fish, frogs, and other marine creatures in the Castor River, just east of Ottawa.
Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment has ordered a nearby cattle farm to construct a series of berms as a precaution after it’s believed toxic liquid containing manure spilled from a lagoon into the river.
“It’s still in the speculation stage right now,” said Cindy Saucier, a councillor for Russell Township, which includes the Castor River.
“There’s obviously something that’s killing the fish, and they’ll get to the bottom of it, I’m sure, in the next few days.”
Saucier, who is also a steward with the South Nation Conservation Authority, said residents began contacting her this morning after they saw the dead fish.
The Castor River flows for about 30 kilometres from Russell east through Embrun before merging with the South Nation River in Casselman.
The impact of the spill is still being evaluated, but the Ministry of the Environment has alerted a water treatment plant in Casselman about the incident.
While charges could be possible, the priority is to make sure the source of the spill is contained, the ministry said.
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