Puslinch councillors are not impressed with a the timing of a Bottled Water Technical Guidance document posted to Ontario Environmental Registry.
The issue arose at the Dec. 21 council session just weeks after council sent the province a letter drafted by its hydrogeologist regarding the provincial moratorium on new and expanded water bottling permits.
Councillor John Sepulis suggested the township resubmit the letter from Stan Denhoed, which outlined the township’s concerns with the moratorium and the process.
“I find it very disingenuous that they asked us for comments (on the moratorium) by Dec. 5, then within a week come out with this document,” Sepulis said.
“There is no acknowledgement of the contributions made by all the other municipalities. (The province) is just plowing ahead.”
Councillor Ken Roth agreed, saying, “I think there are a couple of things within this – such as increased permit fees and drop the permit length down to five years.”
Roth pointed out the five-year permit period was something Puslinch had always requested – and got.
Yet he said, “I don’t think (the province) really cares what anyone has to say.”
Councillor Matthew Bulmer also agreed with Sepulis.
“I was shocked this came out almost the day after (the closing of the previous environmental registry positing).”
Bulmer found it interesting “there isn’t significant difference between the existing rules and what is being proposed – other than the mandatory cutbacks being proposed when watersheds are at Levels 1, 2 and 3 drought conditions – but why that wouldn’t be a good idea for other water users still escapes me.”
Bulmer said if municipal water taking is having a negative effect on the environment, municipalities should also find a way to cut back.
He too supported resubmitting Denhoed’s letter on this environmental registry posting “because this is essentially the same thing.” He noted Denhoed’s comments have made their mark on national hydrogeological magazines regarding water taking.
“He’s not alone in wanting to see this from a scientific perspective,” said Bulmer.
Strong voice needed
Councillor Fielding agreed with Sepulis whole-heartedly.
“I think (our voice) is getting drowned out in this. We need to be a strong voice … in light of a lot of this being concentrated on a company within our boundaries.
“We need to ensure we are heard.”
Mayor Dennis Lever added Denhoed was pretty specific that the moratorium “is not based on science.”
He said, “If this is to be determined based on science … all water users need to be included in this – we shouldn’t single out one specific industry.”
Lever noted all the proposed changes for water taking charges and said at some point it will need to be based on science – or defined as a tax, fee or levy.
Lever also indicated he believes the bottled water technical guidance report was drafted before the comment period regarding the moratorium was complete.
