Ontario government has not found source of black water with sewage smell in Stoney Creek

What was thought to be acid leaking from Bartek Ingredientsinto Lake Ontario may not actually be the case as the continued investigation from the provinceis raising morequestions than answers.

"Based upon our observations of the appearance and odour of material in the ditch and at the outfall to the lake, we have not yet confirmed that the two materials are from the same source," read a statement fromMinistry of Environment, Conservation and Parks spokesperson Gary Wheeler.

"We can not confirm that the material in the ditch was caused by Bartek."

The issueemergedat the start of June after aresident near Cherry Beach Park in Stoney Creek complained to the cityabout a "sewage odour."

The city then eventually discovered a black substance in the water within a ditch close to BartekIngredients, a company that producesfood-grade acid. The factory then reported cracks in its containment facility to the ministry as a potential source for a leak.

It's still unclear what thesubstance or substances are, how old the issue is and how it has impacted the local ecosystem.

Ministry says it could be more than one substance

One indicator that the substance draining into the lake and the substancein the ditch could be different istheir respective appearances.

The substance in the ditch besideBartekIngredientsis described as "black stained soil, black tinted water and a septic odour," while the outfall at the lake appears as"red staining" with a similar smell to the ditch. But both sites contain black, inky water and are a part of the same stormwaterrunoff system.

Bartek Ingredients told CBC News theirhired consultants say testing of 19soil and water samples taken on June 8 and again on June 18,didn't show that there's acid in the ditchwater.

The companyis describing the black stainingin the ditch as "organic material."

The city confirmed withCBCNews itdid investigate in the area to ensure the sewer system was operating as intended but "found nothing abnormal."

Andrew Grice, director of Hamilton Water, said he isn't aware of any other water issues at the moment and added that factories in the area are allowed to discharge into the sanitary system, but not into the open ditches that are connected to the stormwater runoff.

The city took three samples from the ditchwater near BartekIngridients. The results showthe water has too much aluminum, iron, total phosphorus and zinc.

The ministry alsorecentlycollected moresamples and will be testing them with its own experts.

It didn't confirm or deny if other factories or businesses in the area are being looked at, but did say routine inspections, including ones that are unannounced, occur based on a perceived level of risk. The city also conducts annual checks. It's unclear when Bartek's last inspection was.

Lynda Lukasik with Environment Hamilton told CBC News she hopes the water issue will prompt officialsto take a closer look. She said everyday citizens should also be vigilant.

"The reality is government and regulators can't be there all the time," she said.

"Follow your gut if something looks or smells weird, remember, observe, document andreport."

Grice admits he doesn't have as much information as Bartek or the ministry, but his working theory is that chemicals reactedwith something in the ditch.

Wheeler said it's too early to theorize.