In general terms, most of Mapleton Township can be classified as low-risk when it comes to problems with the local water supply.
“The Drayton area is not very susceptible to contamination,” said Lorrie Minshall, director of the Grand River Conservation Authority’s source protection program.
Minshall, who provided a report to council last week, said the Moorefield area is also “well protected above the aquifer.”
And while Mapleton?Township seems relatively low-risk, Minshall said the GRCA is strongly recommending private wells in the township – particularly those in Drayton and Moorefield – be upgraded or decommissioned.
For certain wells, owners can receive 100% funding for decommissioning and 80% funding for improvements.
Minshall warned the report is a “desktop exercise” that includes “possible threats” only, although she did say 17 activities on six Drayton properties may propose a risk to the municipal drinking water system. And eleven activities on three Moorefield properties are a possible threat, she added.
Councillor Bruce Whale asked Minshall if the municipal well at the PMD?Arena is considered in the well head protection areas cited in her report. Mayor John Green said the township is considering a well at the arena as “a next step.”
Minshall replied the GRCA report applies only to wells currently classified as municipal residential drinking sources. She noted if the township is considering another well, it should let the GRCA know and it could be considered for funding applications.
Green said the township still has some investigating and other work to do regarding the well and assured Minshall the municipality would cooperate with her report.
Minshall said the GRCA recommends council release the report, after its own review, to the source water protection committee. She also suggested hosting a public information meeting in late May and inviting all landowners within the well head protection areas.
