GUELPH – The proposed conversion of the Dolime Quarry into a residential neighbourhood would ease pressure on the groundwater supply and benefit Guelph-Eramosa, according to Mayor Chris White.
After five years of negotiation, on Oct. 1 the City of Guelph announced a deal with owner River Valley Developments to close the quarry early.
Located on the city’s southwest border next to Wellington Road 124, but within Guelph-Eramosa, the Dolime quarry currently diverts about 11 million litres of groundwater a day.
The city could use some of that for its drinking water supply when it assumes control of the water.
Wellington Water Watchers (WWW), the environmental group that has called attention to the groundwater risks caused by the quarry, is pleased extraction will end and that the city will take protective steps.
Elements of the plan still require public input and approval by the province and municipal councils, including an adjustment of the Guelph boundary to include the quarry lands.
“We think it’s good news,” said White, who added the quarry has been an issue for both nearby city and township residents.
“Their homes have been rattling from the blasting – it’s been a real irritant.”
The Grand River Conservation Authority’s recent study of drinking water systems around Guelph and Guelph-Eramosa found the area is at “significant risk” of not having enough drinking water to meet future needs under drought conditions.
“This [deal] helps Guelph with their water, but it also reduces their dependence on us,” said White.
“Part of their water master plan calls for more wells in our township. If Guelph can utilize the quarry water, then they don’t have to come out and get as much water from us. It doesn’t mean they will never come out eventually, but in the medium term it’s positive.
“If the city comes out and starts taking more water, it could potentially affect our wells, or affect our ability to do some industrial development, down (Wellington) Road 124.”
With the boundary change, the township would receive compensation for the loss of property taxes and aggregate royalties for the transferred lands, but White said the amount must still be negotiated.
If the quarry were to shut down without the land being transferred to the city, the township would not be able to provide sewer and water services for housing.
More information will be available at an open house on Oct. 29 at Guelph City Hall, from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm.
“We think closing the quarry early is a real win for our community because it will finally address our longstanding drinking water concerns,” said Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.
There will be a planning process to ensure the residential development fits into growth plans.
The city will build an on-site water management system to protect the groundwater supply from any exposure to surface water contamination that could result from damage to the aquitard, the layer of dense rock that acts like a barrier to protect groundwater.
The quarry owner will continue to own the land and be the housing developer, and the new neighbourhood will go through the city’s standard planning process, which provides opportunities for public input.
WWW chair Rob Case said it has been 10 years since the aquitard was damaged.
The group still has questions about when mining will stop and details of what rehabilitation steps the company will be required to complete.
He said the settlement is partially a testament to the efforts of concerned citizens.
He also praised City of Guelph staff for their dedication to preserving groundwater. He said the Dolime situation “has revealed serious problems with how the aggregate industry is regulated” and he called on the provincial government to take tighter control of quarry operations.
