Advisory

May 20, 2002

L'Esplanade Laurier safe to re-open

Ottawa - City of Ottawa Public Health officials have agreed that L'Esplanade Laurier complex can re-open tomorrow morning. The buildings have been closed since May 16, 2002, due to accidental contamination of the water with ethylene glycol. They will be open as of Tuesday, May 21, 2002 at 6 a.m.

Extensive testing was done by Health Canada, the City of Ottawa and by an independent firm. Testing confirmed that the main water system now meets all drinking water standards.

In the course of testing the water, however, an unrelated problem was found. An independent and contained distribution system serving only the drinking water fountains in the office towers showed slightly elevated levels of lead.

At the recommendation of Health Canada and the City's Public Health branch, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), along with the building owner, has decided to shut down the drinking water fountains in order to investigate and have the problem rectified. For the convenience of the occupants, drinking water will be supplied to everyone in the two towers until the situation is resolved.

This does not affect the main potable water supply serving both the offices and the retail space on the main level.

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For more information contact:

Health Canada
Communications and Marketing
Paige Raymond Kovach
957-1803

City of Ottawa
580-2450