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Some facts about the Walkerton water tragedy

TORONTO — Twenty years ago, contaminated water poisoned the drinking water in Walkerton, Ont. Some facts:

 

What happened: Manure laden with e.coli O157:H7 seeped into a well supplying drinking water to town. Seven people died; 2,300 fell ill

Fallout: Two brothers who ran the water system were criminally convicted for falsifying records

Public Inquiry: Concluded water operators, lax oversight and enforcement, and government cost-cutting contributed to disaster

Reforms: Successive provincial governments passed sweeping legislation designed to enhance every aspect of drinking water safety

Class Action: Compensation payouts topped $75 million

Source: The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press

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