Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich (Pexels.com)
Ottawa Public Health provided the following announcement regarding contaminated soils in Mechanicsville:
There is a long history of industrial and commercial land use in the Mechanicsville area so residents are advised to adhere to the following guidance regarding growing food for personal consumption:
• Vegetables and other plants grown in your garden which may be eaten should be planted in a soil mix obtained from a garden center that has been placed in raised beds or planter boxes that have a geotextile base to prevent the clean soil from mixing with the soil underneath.
• Build children’s play sandboxes with a wood or plastic bottom and use clean sand from a local supplier.
• Cover all bare patches of soil on your property. Grass or hard surfaces, such as paving stones, will keep dust and dirt from being tracked into your home and prevent small children from coming in contact with the bare soil.
• Wash all produce and your hands under running water after spending time in your yard and before preparing a meal.
• Dispose of any excavated soil from your property at a licensed landfill facility.
For additional questions or health concerns, please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 or via email at healthsante@ottawa.ca
