CENTRE WELLINGTON – Mayor Kelly Linton is encouraged by the province's proposed changes to the water quantity management proposal.
A news release from the province said the proposal aims to protect long-term sustainability of surface water and groundwater. Proposed changes would give municipalities a greater say in allowing companies in regards to water taking for commercial bottling.
The province said in the news release that their review found their current approach to managing water takings is effective but found opportunities to build on the framework.
They are looking for input from the public, municipalities, Indigenous communities, industries and stakeholders.
Linton said the first proposed change, which would require water bottling companies to have support from host municipalities for new or increased water taking, is something the township has been asking for from the beginning.
“It’s always been our position that municipal water taking should have a priority over all other kinds of water taking within a municipality,” Linton said. “We’re very much in favour of that, we’ll be letting the province know.”
The Middlebrook Well in Centre Wellington is owned by Nestlé Waters Canada but the company does not have a permit to take water. There is a moratorium on new or expanded groundwater takings for commercial bottling in effect until Oct. 1, 2020.
Nestlé Waters Canada’s presence in the community has been met with resistance from residents who are concerned about the future water supply in a rapidly growing town.
“Our community has been vocal and clear that they do not support water taking for commercial bottling purposes within Centre Wellington,” Linton said.
“One of their reasons is because of future water supply and that’s what has been most important to the township. It’s been our responsibility to look after our water resources now and into the future given our growth rate.”
Another proposed change is to assess and manage multiple water takings together in areas where water sustainability is a concern. A Tier-3 Water Study was conducted in Centre Wellington by the GRCA which showed the town has enough water capacity to service the community until 2036 but there is a risk if their current system isn’t expanded before 2041.
“It’s the first time we’re seeing the government to look at future water takings as a rationale to allow for permits to take water,” Linton said. “This is another thing we’ve been pushing for since day one.”
Nestlé Waters Canada has previously disputed that they are looking to pump large amounts of water from the Middlebrook Well for commercial purposes. The company has permits for water taking from two Wellington County sources in Hillsburgh and Aberfoyle. Linton said the proposed changes would not affect these wells as they have existing permits.
Other proposed changes include establishing priorities of water use in the province to guide water taking decisions and making water taking data publicly available.
Andreanne Simard, natural resource manager at Nestle Waters Canada, said in a statement that the company is happy with the proposed framework.
“This step helps move us toward greater regulatory certainty which is important to all those who care about the sustainable management of water resources in Ontario,” Simard said.
Simard said the emphasis on science and transparency is welcome, as is the observation from the report that bottled water does not have an impact on water sustainability. The report said water bottling is significantly less than 1 per cent of the total permitted water taken in Ontario.
“Overall, it is an impressive and detailed piece of work,” Simard said. “We are continuing to review the framework carefully and look forward to providing our comments.”Input and comments on the proposed changes can be made until Aug. 2, 2020.
