Alerts

Fire Department receives Superior Tanker Shuttle Service Recognition

Township of Woolwich Fire Department receives recognition for registering in the fire insurance grading index as being accredited for the delivery of Superior Tanker Shuttle Service.

Click here for more information.

Media Release: Chemtura Focuses on Community Following Incident

Chemtura has established a hotline, is visiting residents, and launching property restoration services in an effort to remedy results of the chemical release earlier this week.

"We are receiving and responding to numerous calls," says Dimitri Makres, vice president of Chemtura and director of manufacturing in Elmira. Although the investigation into what caused the release of BLE25 on September 27th is ongoing, Makres recognizes the impact on near neighbours and is making them a priority. Click here for the full media release.

Chemtura Press Release: Cleaning Vehicles and Homes Affected

Region of Waterloo Public Health Update:Chemical Release from Chemtura

This is an update to the Chemtura product release that occurred yesterday. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo Public Health Unit advises residents not to eat any fruits or vegetables from their gardens and to avoid exposure to any children's toys or lawn furniture that were outside on the afternoon of September 27, 2010 until further testing has been completed by Chemtura and the Ministry of the Environment.

Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available from the testing.  In the meantime, residents are advised to avoid contact with the product and await further instructions regarding cleanup.

To view the Region of Waterloo Public Health's Chemtura Product BLE25 Fact Sheet click here.

Township Press Release: Chemical Release from Chemtura

Elmira, Ontario, September 27, 2010 - The Township of Woolwich received notification via e-mail at 7:42pm tonight - that late this afternoon a release of a product, BLE 25, used in the manufacture of rubber goods occurred at Chemtura's Elmira facility.  The release was primarily confined to the plant site; however, some of the material was carried out into the nearby neighbourhood. 

The Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) and the Region of Waterloo were notified and representatives responded to the plant.

The Township of Woolwich fire personnel responded to the Chemtura facility at 7:57 pm to assess the situation.  It was determined that the Community Alerting Network should be activated to provide a message to the affected residents in the immediate area.  A message was issued at 9:56 pm to the residents notifying them of the product release.

The material, which has the potential to cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation, will appear as tiny dark tar-like specks.  It is not expected that the amount present and to which individuals could be exposed will cause harm, however, it is advised that residents take precautions to minimize contact with the material which may be on vehicles, buildings and lawns.

The Township will be arranging follow up meetings with representatives of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and Chemtura to discuss any other necessary actions.  The MOE will be conducting further investigation.