An Outlook, Sask., farmer is concerned a sewage lagoon constructed near his land could become a liability if he sells the farm.
Wayne Martinson contends the lagoon was completed in 2002 without an adequate liner and is seeping effluent onto his porous sandy land nearby.
He cited an increasing water table now up to ground level that limits his ability to use his irrigation pivot on the quarter.
“I’ve lost half of what irrigation can do there,” he said.
Martinson said the lagoon also could limit the chance of selling his land in an already depressed farm economy.
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A longtime opponent of the lagoon, he wants the town to buy his affected quarter and is looking at legal action.
“I’d like to get out of it,” he said.
Trent Michelman, administrator for the town of Outlook, said the construction of the lagoon met municipal and provincial standards.
“We do not feel there is any leakage at all,” he said.
Saskatchewan Environment agreed.
It is monitoring water levels and chemistry around the lagoon and has found increases in water levels but not in water chemistry, said Myron Bilokury of the drinking water quality branch.
He said the higher water level could be explained by ground water in the area.
Bilokury said the Outlook lagoon has a clay-packed liner, which meets minimum provincial requirements.
“The lagoon was properly constructed,” he said.
Bilokury said the department will continue to monitor the site and share its findings with Martinson.
