We're pushing ahead, and we need your help!

Supporters of Friends of Sugarloaf Path,

I want to start by thanking you for taking the time to read our petition and sign it as a show of your support. Support from the community can go a long way in letting government officials know that the issue we raised needs to be addressed.

One of the concerns we raised over Robin Hood Bay Landfill was that in 2005 a study indicated that Skerries Brook was also polluted with chemicals and heavy metals, in addition to plastic and other garbage. The City has recently stated that "there is no flow leading to Skerries Brook". While out in the area though, that doesn't appear to be the case. If the water in Skerries Brook is no longer polluted by the landfill why isn't there anything living in it? Why does it look so discoloured? Why does it smell so bad? These are not qualities one would usually equate with clean water.

We don't know for sure if Skerries Brook is still being polluted by water runoff from the landfill. Our initial observations were visual. However, there are ways to find out if the stream is still polluted which is why we're writing you today.

We have taken water samples from Skerries Brook in two different locations, one during dry weather and one during heavy rain. The samples have been dropped off at an independent lab in St. John's to be tested for chemicals, heavy metals, ammonia, and more . Payment is due once the testing is completed, and prior to us being sent the results.

The cost to have each sample tested is $277.44 (price includes taxes and a $5 lab disposal fee) bringing the total cost to have both samples tested to $554.88. We'd like to ask for your support to help raise this amount so that we can view the results of the testing once it's completed. Unfortunately since the City is saying everything is fine the only way we will really know what's going on is if we take it upon ourselves to get the information we need. We are really counting on support from the community to make this a possibility.

To help make that easier to achieve we have set up a page on GoFundMe that explains the situation, which has a goal value of raising $555 just to cover the cost of having the water tested. All donations are appreciated and donations can be made in amounts as low as $5 making is easy for you to support this worthy cause.

You can find the GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/clean-up-skerries-brook

We also appreciate your support to help spread the word about this cause by sharing links to our website, petition, or GoFundMe page with your friends and family online.

Best wishes,
Friends of Sugarloaf Path