The City of Estevan has run afoul of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
It was announced last week that officials from the CNSC were in Estevan in late August to inspect a nuclear density gauge. The gauge is used to measure soil density.
According to a report from the CNSC, inspectors found 16 violations. Among the transgressions were improper signage and not following transportation requirements. Because of the violations they issued an order that the City must stop using the device.
In an interview Monday, Mayor Roy Ludwig said the majority of the issues stemmed from improper documentation. He added they have already taken steps to rectify the violations.
"When you have a nuclear device you have to be very stringent on your paperwork and it appears that we were not as stringent as the guidelines and the training told us that we should be," Ludwig said.
"Our city engineer is going over the shortfalls and where we fell shy of our commitments to this machine and we will be taking the proper training to ensure this does not happen again."
Ludwig said as of Monday the City had not received permission to resume using the gauge and that CNSC officials will need to conduct another investigation before they give permission.
Asked how the matter came to the attention of CNSC officials, Ludwig said he did not have an answer.
"I must admit that we were kind of caught a little bit unaware of this situation until it came forward. But it was brought to our attention that we didn't do enough documentation and follow the guidelines strictly enough, that it was a concern and the federal people stepped in and said take a timeout."
Ludwig said the City purchased the gauge earlier this year for $68,000. He added that as of Monday there had been no word of whether or not the City would be fined for the violations.
