A former resident was at Mapleton council on May 22 to give council some warnings and tips about water use in Wellington County in general and perhaps for right around home.
Mayor Bruce Whale noted David McAuley once lived in the township and was representing the lobby group Wellington Water Watchers.
That not-for-profit group says it is dedicated to the protection, restoration and conservation of drinking water in Guelph and Wellington County.
McAuley said it does not, so far, work outside those boundaries, although it is aware of work by similar groups elsewhere.
Its current campaign is called Message in Bottle, by which it is attempting to provide a stainless steel water bottle to all schools in the county for $5 each. McAuley said the bottles are worth $20.
Further, the group is promoting the use of tap water with a campaign that includes letting people know where tap water is available with a blue “W” sign in such places as restaurants.
McAuley said Wellington Water Watchers are also working with school boards to provide water stations in new schools and during renovations at old schools so that students and staff can refill water bottles easily.
He said the group is busy opposing an application by Nestle Waters Canada for an extended ten-year water taking permit in Hillsburgh.
McAuley said there are a number of issues that threaten water in Guelph and Wellington County, including the Dolime quarry in Guelph.
“Mapleton may not be directly affected, but if they find water here, it could become a huge issues,” he said.
McAuley said only three per cent of all the water in the world is potable and so it deserves protection.
He said his group believes tap water is safer to drink than bottled water and also that tap water has more regulations for quality than bottled water.
Mayor Bruce Whale asked him if source water protection is an issues for the group.
McAuley said it is “not directly tied” to the group’s activities but “it is of interest.”
The provincial government has forced municipalities in all watersheds to do source water protection studies, and rural municipalities are now starting to fear the costs associated with that protection could land on them.
McAuley said his group has 400 members and he hopes it is consulted about source water protection. He said the group is commenting on the Nestle application.
Councillor Andy Knetsch asked how much water is taken by Nestle and where it goes.
McAuley said trucking is an issue with water taking, and his group hopes to be heard by the Ministry of the Environment when it comes to water taking applications.
Councillor Jim Curry asked McAuley if his group can operate a booth in Mapleton during the township’s July 1 celebrations “for education purposes.”
Whale asked about the “blue W” campaign and who monitors it.
McAuley said it is about tap water versus bottled water, and some places need drinking facilities. He said schools are getting refill facilities for tap water and “about 20 business in Guelph” have added such stations.
Whale asked if the group is working through the school board for the refill stations.
McAuley said it is, and the group would also like to promote the stations at municipal facilities, too.
“Lots of Sports activities generate bottled water,” he said.
Whale thanked McAuley for his presentation, and added, “I often wonder how we got away from drinking tap water.”
