Centre Wellington council is taking the plunge and officially saying “no” to new permits to take water for commercial water bottling operations.
The township’s committee of the whole passed its recommendation on May 26 and reaffirmed that decision at council on May 28.
Council’s decision followed a public meeting on the township’s development charges bylaw, preliminary results from the Grand River Conservation Authority’s Scoped Tier 3 Water Budget Assessment and a presentation by Donna McCaw of Save Our Water.
McCaw stated the group “appreciates the opportunity of bringing forward a request today and agrees with Mayor Linton when he says,‘Nothing is more important to us than looking after our water.’”
She offered full support of council’s previous resolution declaring water “as a public trust.”
McCaw said under Wellington County’s Official Plan, all of the population growth in Centre Wellington is coming to Fergus and Elora. She noted the population of this urban area will grow from 22,000 in 2016 to 44,000 by 2041.
“This doubles the urban population. We know that population growth will continue past 2041,” said McCaw.
“The township requires dependable, robust and accessible new sources of groundwater to service this population, and our future generations are relying on decisions made today to ensure that there is water readily available for them.”
While acknowledging the ongoing uncertainties of science, she said there are the unknowns of climate change, the rate of rapid growth now and beyond 2041 and the complexities in finding new sources of municipal water.
“We therefore cannot support a large scale water extraction for commercial water bottling at the edge of this urban area,” said McCaw.
“With these factors in mind, it is now time to take another step to protect water. We request from council a resolution making it clear that Centre Wellington is not a willing host to large scale water extraction for commercial water bottling purposes.”
McCaw added, “It is important that this message is made clear to the province and to all candidates before the June 7 provincial election.”
Councillor Don Fisher said, “I happen to agree with the request. I think it is time that council took a position.”
He noted council’s previous resolution declaring water as a public trust and another which stated council was not interested in a special arrangement with a water bottling company.
“The logical and timely next step is that we go on the record stating we are not a willing host for commercial water bottling operations in the township,” said Fisher.
He added he was influenced by a response from Dean Workman while being interviewed as a replacement for councillor Mary Lloyd.
When Workman was asked about the situation, he said he would respect the will of the community and he believes the community has expressed its view.
At the same time, council members were concerned about impacting existing water bottling businesses.
Fisher said the resolution concerned new water bottling operations.
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen said he wanted to make certain the municipality’s decision would not put existing Centre Wellington businesses at risk.
Mayor Kelly Linton noted the Ministry of the Environment makes the final decision on permits to take water.
Fisher said a resolution would express council’s will on dealing with large scale water bottling operations or water extraction.
He hoped as more information came forward, there may be other requests before the end of the provincial moratorium on approvals for new permits to take water by commercial water bottlers.
Fisher said one of the township requests might simply extend the moratorium or make other changes in the process.
After considerable discussion, councillors considered a resolution:
– noting population is mandated to grow to approximately 45,000 by 2041;
– stressing the municipality depends on groundwater for its municipal water supply;
– noting the township will need to secure additional sources of groundwater to service its projected growth to 2041 and beyond;
– stating Centre Wellington is “not a willing host community to any new commercial water bottling operation or the taking of water for that purpose under any circumstances”; and
– opposing the issuance of a new permit to take water from any source located within the township for the purpose of commercial water bottling.
In a recorded vote, councillors unanimously passed the resolution.
