KATEPWA BEACH, Sask. – Over the last few days, Katepwa Beach users have been reporting floating debris, an oily film, and discolouration in the lake.
It’s something the residents are not used to seeing at this time of year.
“Our water quality out here is steadily getting worse and worse and worse,” said Katepwa councilor Dwight Fisher.
Recreational fishers have noticed the change too.
Siko Lee drives from Regina to Katepwa to fish with his family.
“Two years ago, I was fishing here. I catch a fish and I bring it home to make food,” said Lee. This year, that’s different. “It’s too dirty.”
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Katepwa’s council was so concerned by the murky water that they took samples and sent them away for testing last week. They’re hoping to get the results back in the next few days.
“Before we point fingers at anybody else we’re going to make sure it’s not us creating the problem,” said Fisher.
Some people, though, are blaming effluent being discharged into the lake by the village of LeBret.
The village holds a five-year provincial permit to discharge into the nearby marsh, which then drains into the river and then feeds into Katepwa.
“The water has been treated, it’s not sewage, it’s effluent. The water is clear, the water doesn’t have odour,” said Caroline MacMurchy, an administrator at the village of LeBret. “We’re permitted to discharge twice a year: in the fall and in the spring.”
The Water Security Agency has multiple stations monitoring water quality on the lake. Spokesperson Patrick Boyle, said there are other factors at play in the lake.
“It’s more than likely remnants of decaying plants from within the lake, or they could be experiencing early algae bloom, like many areas of the province, based on our warm, hot dry weather right now.”
Just to air on the side of safety, the Katepwa council is developing a proposal it will soon submit to LeBret.
“We would love to have them come up and use our lagoon, it would help us a lot, and it would eliminate them from pumping into our lake too,” said Fisher. “It’s kind of a win, win situation.”
LeBret hopes to finish its spring discharge by the end of the month.
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