After extensive testing, Nestlé Waters Canada has decided to abandon a Victoria Road site as a possible location for a secondary
well.
Company officials concluded on Monday there is some ambiguity associated with the source of ground water obtained from wells drilled at the property located at 4295 Victoria Road South.
“There was a great supply of potable water in terms of both quality and quantity at the site,” said John Challinor, Nestlé’s director of corporate affairs. “But because we weren’t sure whether the water was from the Lake Erie basin or the Lake Ontario basin we decided to [abandon the site].”
A surface water divide, separating the Lake Erie basin from the one for Lake Ontario, exists on the property, Challinor explained. And, while there is mapping identifying the ground water divide, the Victoria Road property ended up being much closer to that divide than Nestlé had previously thought, he added.
According to the principles of the Great Lakes Charter Annex of 2001, Nestlé is permitted to draw water only from the same basin from which it produces its product.
“To continue with this siting would have been inconsistent with our efforts to continue to meet and exceed strict local, provincial, and federal regulatory requirements,” Nestlé Waters Canada President Gail Cosman said in a press release.
Challinor told the Advertiser Nestlé will now begin the process of investigating the feasibility of other sites in the area and remains convinced Puslinch Township features underground aquifers that will provide excellent quality water.
However, “We’ll be looking at properties much farther from the ground water divide,” he said.
James Gordon, of the Wellington Water Watchers, a citizen group dedicated to protecting the local drinking water supply, was pleased with the announcement.
“We are delighted Nestlé has abandoned their plan for the Victoria Road well,” Gordon said. “It’s a sign that they’re beginning to abide with the Great Lakes accord and we also hope this is a sign they will start to abide by other aspects of the accord, including the prohibition of the removal of containers greater than 20 litres.”
Gordon also noted he views the decision as a sign the conditions and scrutiny that came with the recent renewal of Nestlé’s water taking permit are having a positive effect.
“It looks like wherever they put that new well will be subject to that same amount of scrutiny,” he said.
“As consumers and as citizens we realize our government is looking after us a little bit in looking out for the sustainability and stewardship of our watershed.”
