Alberta lake polluted by oil reopens for long weekend

A man-made reservoir that had to becleaned up after a pipeline leak in central Albertais to open in time for the long weekend.

Environment officials say water quality test results are within provincial standards at Gleniffer Lake near Sundre.

The provincehad advised people not to fish or swim in the waterafter a leak from a pipeline earlier this month released oil into the lakethrough the Red Deer River.

Officials say cleanup of the lake and shoreline by pipeline owner Plains Midstream Canada has been successful and oil is no longer being detected.

However, the far southwest corner near Dickson Point remains closed to the public.

The lake also providesdrinking water for several communities, including the city of Red Deer.

Cleanup along the shores of the river up to the point of the leak is still going on.

People with homes on Gleniffer Lake have voiced concern about the environmental effects of the spill, and businesses say they have already seen fewer customers since as much as475,000 litres of oil escaped from the pipeline June 7.

Company vice-president Stephen Bart has said compensation will be available to landowners, but hasn't provided details.

A class-action lawsuit has been filed over the spill.