Harvest bans on aquatic species such as clams and oysters that were imposed following a sewage leak near the Comox Marina last month have been fully lifted.
The Comox Valley Regional District said testing of water and shellfish in the area shows results are now within acceptable levels and harvesting may resume.
Senior manager of capital project delivery Charlie Gore said the development is another positive step as officials continue to monitor and assess the impacts of the incident.
“While we continue to assess the immediate spill area, we’re glad that in the harbour and beyond, people can return to their normal uses.”
The emergency closure was put in place for subareas 14-9, 14-10, 14-11, 14-14 and 14-15 as a precaution while Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducted testing.
The closure was revoked for subarea 14-14 on June 5 and for the remaining areas on June 8 after all sample results met standards outlined in the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program.
The CVRD also received reports of toilet paper on local beaches. An investigation by environmental consultants determined the material was dried, bleached seaweed and was unrelated to the sewage leak.
A water advisory for most of the Comox Harbour and Estuary was lifted on June 3.
The advisory remains in effect for the foreshore between Jane Place and the Comox Wharf, as well as waters within the Comox Harbour Authority east of the marina.
