Concerns about water quality in Spallumcheen are boiling over again.

Some residents claim a manure lagoon breached at a dairy farm on Salmon River Road Feb. 16, but the owner of the operation denies that.

害羞草研究所淭he snow on top may have been too high but that害羞草研究所檚 just a guess. It害羞草研究所檚 a lined lagoon and it害羞草研究所檚 in good shape,害羞草研究所� said the owner of Grace-Mar Farms, who didn害羞草研究所檛 provide his name.

The owner insists he害羞草研究所檚 on top of the situation, and wouldn害羞草研究所檛 comment on possible impact on water quality, except to say the ground is frozen and there害羞草研究所檚 been no leaching.

害羞草研究所淲e are absorbing everything and we害羞草研究所檙e not letting any runoff to occur.害羞草研究所�

Residents are questioning the integrity of their water source.

害羞草研究所淥ur concerns are multilayered and will come forward as we continue our research,害羞草研究所� said Wayne Christian, Splatsin chief.

Residents visited the site as soon as they became aware of the situation.

害羞草研究所淥ne honey wagon was collecting effluent from the breach and hauling it around to the other side of the lagoon and dumping it out so the other honey wagon could pump it up into its tank and then spread it out on top of the snow,害羞草研究所� said Shelley Baumbrough, a farmer in the area.

Conservation officers have also been present to monitor the breach.

害羞草研究所淭he conservation officer has promised me that an assessment will be done to determine how many and which wells nearly need to be tested,害羞草研究所� said Baumbrough.

Members of the Save Hullcar Aquifer Team are accusing the Ministry of Environment of knowing about an incident at the farm for two days before residents became aware of the issue.

害羞草研究所淭hat us unconscionable, and shows the level of disdain for the people of Spallumcheen, including the Splatsin,害羞草研究所� said Al Price, with SHAT.

Price also questions if the ministry had ensured the lagoon met standards.

害羞草研究所淎ll of the people of the Hullcar Valley and Steele Springs are paying the price,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淲hat happened Thursday, and the way the ministry responded since then, is unacceptable. They have shown their complete disregard for the health of the people of the Hullcar Valley and Steele Springs, or the environment of the valley.害羞草研究所�

The situation on Salmon River Road comes at the same time that residents remain concerned about the possible impact of another dairy operation on the Hullcar aquifer.

害羞草研究所淭he latest test of Steele Springs water came in at 14.4 parts per million. That is the highest it has ever been. So no matter what the government claims to be doing to make sure we have safe drinking water, they have failed miserably,害羞草研究所� said Price.

The Ministry of Environment could be reached for comment.