The first “community chat” open house sponsored by Nestlé Waters Canada packed the basement of the Elora library on July 10.
Earlier this year, the company announced it was evaluating the Middlebrook Water Co. spring water source in Centre Wellington for potential acquisition.
The purchase would be subject to confirmation that groundwater there meets the company’s quality and quantity requirements and that the existing production permit will be renewed later this year by the Ontario Ministry of Environment.
Nestlé intends to use the production well as a back-up or supplementary source to its main production well in Aberfoyle.
The company currently does not have a backup well should they need to take the main well offline.
Middlebrook Water Co., located on a five-acre site at 7334 Middlebrook Road west of Elora, currently has a five-year water drawing permit that expires in October.
The permit allows the owner to draw 300 gallons of water per minute.
Nestlé has stated the company has no plans for the existing factory building on site, which will likely be demolished and a smaller pump house constructed.
Nestlé’s natural resource manager Andreanne Simard estimated 50 people attended the first day-long community open house.
“The room was filled by 9am,” she said, noting the intent of the meetings is to provide what information exists and to gather public input.
Centre Wellington councillor Fred Morris attended a later portion of the event. He asked about the potential economic benefits for the township.
While Nestlé wants to be part of and help the community, Simard did not anticipate the acquisition would create hundreds of jobs.
Simard responded that site investigations remain ongoing as to the suitability as a backup water source for the Aberfoyle operation.
Morris said that while he was aware of an aquifer test in 2004, he believes there are a number of new wells in the area.
Simard stressed “my job is to ensure there is no impact.” She also anticipated heavy ongoing monitoring and said well testing is already underway.
She also noted the intent is to hold more community chats in the coming months.
These community meetings are outside the formal meeting process that will happen later this year with findings being presented to the public.
