A month has passed since a chromium trioxide spill just outside Fredericton city limits and still people in 10 homes and five businesses are under an advisory not to drink their water.

Even after four public meetings with government officials, homeowners are still fearful for their water.

At a public meeting Monday, Denis Allard, a provincial medical officer of health, told the displaced homeowners that they could resume using their well water for bathing and laundry.

But that was not good enough for Elaine Hoyt, who says the province has yet to prove that it's safe.

"It got very heated at the meeting. I asked for a show of hands on the part of the homeowners and the businesses who were there, who felt that, based on the information we were given [Monday] night, you know, how many people feel that they're confident that it's safe to go home and use the water. And no one did," she said.

The province first warned residents in October to stay away from their drinking water after more than 2,700 litres of chromium trioxide spilled at a nearby business, Custom Machine & Hardchrome.

Serge Gagnon, an official with the Department of Environment, said nearly half of the chromium spilled has been recovered but he can't say how long it will take to get the rest.

"Basically that's a tough question to answer. I guess at this point we've recovered approximately 40 per cent," Gagnon said. "But it's important to note we are well aware that we have some in the soil around the perimeter of the building, underneath the building, as well as the septic area."

Hoyt said she has been left with the impression that the province is not sure how to properly clean up the area.