THE CANADIAN PRESS

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HALIFAX - Nova Scotia is looking into concerns about the quality of drinking water in an area near Halifax that was damaged by forest fires in June, a cabinet minister confirmed Wednesday.

Tourism Minister Bill Dooks said Environment Department officials would assess the effects of water run-off into wells in the Candy Mountain Road area, near Porters Lake, over the next week.

"If the assessment comes back and there's no concern, then we'll share that with the community," said Dooks. "If the assessment comes back where there is a concern, then we'll have to have a meeting right away to tell people what we're going to do as a government."

At a community meeting attended by about 40 residents Tuesday, some said forest charred by the blaze is no longer soaking up rain and the run-off is clogging ditches, damaging driveways and running into wells.

Adrian Fuller, district manager with the Environment Department's monitoring and compliance division, said inspectors will examine the extent of erosion and siltation. He said the initial survey would also determine whether the wells in question are drilled or dug.

Fuller said water sources from drilled wells are usually deeper while,those in dug wells are closer to the ground, which could pose a risk.

"But if wells are properly constructed, there shouldn't be any problem with any siltation issues or overland flow ... because they are all supposed to be designed to prevent any siltation from getting into the well," said Fuller.

He added the assessment should be completed by the end of next week, at which time officials will have a better idea if additional action is needed.

Dooks, who represents the area in the legislature, said he would distribute a questionnaire to determine the extent of problems faced by homeowners before taking the findings to the government about possible assistance.

"We want the survey completed first ... and at that time, if it warrants attention by government, I'll be calling on my colleagues to bring some support there," he said.

The fire destroyed more 1,900 hectares and forced the evacuation of about 5,000 people.

Only two homes were lost in the blaze.

The bill for fighting the fire is estimated to be as high as $800,000.