Williams Lake, B.C.- Latest  test results on Quesnel Lake,  show  fish are  still safe for consumption,  and that  water quality outside the  no use ban  for  water  from  Polley Lake, and the  mouth of Hazeltine creek, poses no  threat to human health.

Four lake trout and two whitefish from Quesnel lake and two rainbow trout from Polley Lake have been tested.   None of the fish had any visual  signs of distress, however,  there were  elevated levels of selenium  in the livers and  gonads of the fish.  The test results  indicate a person would have to  eat one cup of  livers and gonads from these fish in one day in  order to exceed the guideline for  human consumption.    The flesh of the fish remains safe to eat.

The Ministry of Environment says the results are similar to a 2013 report of fish flesh, gonad and liver data, that similar levels of selenium were found in liver and gonads of fish from the two lakes.

There has been a blue sheen spotted on  Quesnel Lake, and initial  investigations  say  it is “organic”.  Ministry of Environment staff have collected samples of the sheen which spotted  near some woody debris.  The sample was tested for tannin and lignum, and  results  show .33 mg per litre, and  drinking water guideline  is .4  Ministry  of Environment  staff  believe the  sheen is  organic in nature,  caused by the decomposition of  debris that was  forced into the lake when the tailing pond breached.  Further testing has been requested.

Interior Health  has no  record  of anyone being treated for any health concern related to the sheen.