Residents of Thurstonia Park, near Dunsford, received some good news midday yesterday when the source of the fuel oil leak that is polluting their soil and waterfront was finally discovered 21 days after it was first reported to the provincial Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

Councillor Ron Ashmore, who represents the residents of Thurstonia Park at Kawartha Lakes council, shared the good news in an email to the Advocate saying, “They did find the source… I was on the scene (when it was discovered). The city employee from public works and GHD (the private company onsite doing the cleanup) have said it is a private residence. The people (who own the residence) are very upset that this happened as it was an accident. We will find out more details very soon.”

On most other fronts, regarding the leak, its impact on local residents and the ongoing cleanup, Ashmore had very little positive to share stating, “No timeframe has been given on when this nightmare will end. The bill is getting larger for the city and residents are getting impatient and nervous.”

Ashmore reports that the cleanup is moving very slowly despite multiple agencies and groups involved

“Shoreline restoration hasn’t even begun yet as I was told that a special surfactant could be used to clean the oil residue off,” Ashmore said.

“The city did deliver some water,” Ashmore added, “after I persisted and asked that they could for at least some relief.”

Ashmore is getting a little concerned that no one has heard from the MECP in a week, and that the health unit “has been unusually quiet as well and not getting any communications out.”