"The town has been under a boil water advisory for the past 17 months and has gone without chlorine in the water since the water treatment system failed," said Foote. "Unfortunately, a recent study has now identified E. coli bacteria in the town’s water supply. The Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs was made aware of this situation on November 18^th and to date no measures have been taken to rectify the problem. The Minister must deal with this most serious issue immediately.

"In question period today, the Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs did commit to provide the town with $328,000 for a new water treatment facility for the town to replace the one that no longer works. The Minister met with the town almost a year ago and until this issue became public, he refused to deal with the fact that there is no chlorine in the town’s water system and therefore the possibility of the residents of Lawn having to live with contaminated water. In an answer to a question, the minister referred to the town’s financial situation and had to be reminded that this matter is not about dollars and cents but could very well be about life and death if the proper action isn’t taken. When it comes to the necessities of life such as clean water and the well-being of residents, who pays for what and at what percentage must take second place to doing the right thing for safety reasons. The Minister said a remedy for E. coli in water is to boil it. What about bathing and brushing teeth and the very real possibility that people, especially children, forget to boil for such purposes?

"E. coli in a water supply cannot be brushed aside as just another contaminant that can be dealt with by using a remedy used to address less serious problems. Experiences in other provinces have proven as much," said Foote.