It appears Hillsburgh Water has a lot of friends.
On May 1, council chambers were again packed with members of Friends of Hillsburgh Water (FHW) and those interested in the Nestle Waters proposal to extend its local water drawing permit by 10 years.
The delegation appeared to have a supportive contingent on council; however, the final decision ultimately does not lie with council.
Brochures distributed by FHW stated, “We’re a group of town of Erin citizens acting to protect our local water, ensuring there’s a pure, abundant supply of this precious resource now and for our kids and grandkids.”
Not only was the chamber packed, but people stood in the hallway.
Nick Green and Liz Armstrong spoke on behalf of the FHW. Green said, “I’m here to raise some serious concerns about the application by Nestle for the renewal of their permit to take water.”
He said the renewal seeks a totally unacceptable and unprecedented 10 year period.
“A lot can change in 10 years – a lot can change in one year.”
He commented on the request for review from Wellington Water Watchers. “It is hoped that would be addressed in the very near future.” He said this is hardly the time to etch in stone a renewal based on an outdated process.
He had concerns with the amount of water being applied for. “This is equivalent of 84 of these huge tanker trucks per day – that is a truck travelling the side roads every 17 minutes 24 hours a day. Obviously it would be more frequent if not spread evenly throughout the day.”
He said for those living near the side roads used, that is totally unacceptable.
Green considered the amount as 46% above the currently approved maximum rate.
He has concerns about peak sales of Nestle Water at the same time local residents are being asked to conserve water in their day to day lives. “Obviously there are other ventures which involve water taking.”
Green cited Mayor Lou Maieron’s aquaculture business. “The big distinction between that, and the bottled water industry, is that the water is returned to the very same watershed from which it was drawn. It is not dispersed elsewhere across North America.”
Green said residents of Erin believe the permit is a contradiction of the province’s environmental values, which look at the interconnection of the environment and the economy.
He said the whole issue is avoidable. “Tap water in North America is of excellent quality and readily available.”
He said Nestle committed to meeting with council representatives to discuss the application. “In light of our concerns, we are petitioning that this meeting be open to the public to ensure an exchange in a true open house.”
Council was unaware any such meeting was scheduled.
While there was a recognition that it is the MOE jurisdiction and not council’s to grant, deny or alter the permit, Green said council should represent resident concerns through the Environmental Bill of Rights process.
Councillor Barb Tocher said council passed a resolution a month ago to get another hydrogeologist to review the application – and the report should soon be at council.
That review will form part of council’s response to the application.
Councillor John Brennan said council is just a commenter in the process.
“We have commented on other water taking proposals, and we have always objected to any permit longer than two years, as a matter of principle.”
Brennan said personally, he’d like to see this one stopped.
However, he said that given the experience of Aberfoyle where there was an unprece–dented number of people protesting, “getting this stopped is probably not realistic.”
He would like to see restrictions and possibly a levy on this “silly” operation.
Brennan pointed out while this is happening, the municipality is dealing with source water protection legislation that will involve not only protecting its water, but possibly that of wells in neighbouring municipalities.
Brennan said he has been harping on the issue for a number of years. “It’s a bit like tilting at windmills, but in this case it is worth keeping tilting at. Someday, maybe we will make a dent in this thing.”
He encouraged residents to continue the protest. “Sooner or later they have to listen.”
Tocher said the road most affected would be County Road 22 and as such she recommend the group take its concerns to the county level – looking at the detrimental effect to the county roads.
Councillor Deb Callaghan offered her full support of the protest. “I don’t agree with this water taking, but as councillor Brennan said, we are not going to be able to stop it.”
Maieron said if a meeting is held with Nestle, it should be part of a regular council night, but a larger venue should be picked – such as the Hillsburgh community centre – in order to accommodate more people.
Maieron said he understood the concerns, but noted there is a free enterprise system. He said the only solution is to have people stop buying bottled water. He said it continues to surprise him how often bottled water is promoted and sold.
Maieron suggested in the stores there is as much bottled water as there is of any carbonated beverage.
“I don’t drink bottled water myself. I might buy a case every time a pope dies. It’s just something to have around once in a blue moon.” Maieron said his point was “If we ban it here, imports will come in.”
Green asked if he could approach council consider banning bottled water in municipal facilities.
Maieron said it is price and demand for the market.
He noted before Nestles existed in Aberfoyle, the location hosted Aberfoyle Springs.
“And before that it was Aberfoyle Trout Farms. I thought he was crazy, but he was a genius, because there’s something about putting something in a bottle which makes it appealing.”
Even though the Aberfoyle fishery was a large market, the owner got out of the business and made a fortune selling it to Nestles, Maieron said.
“If people don’t buy it, it will sit on the shelf. Council can only do so much.”
For more information about the group contact hillsburgh.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca.
