Dear Editor: In late September, despite major concerns expressed by many hundreds of people in the Town of Erin, and the Town Council’s rejection of the proposed permit, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) granted Nestl Canada Inc. a new five-year license to take water from Hillsburgh at the same rate as its previous permit – up to 1.1 million litres per day, plus a ‘spike rate’. Now we learn that Nestl has filed an appeal with the MOE, objecting to conditions included in the new license, claiming (for one) that mandatory water taking reductions are not applied uniformly or equitably, or at all, throughout the watershed. Nestl has also taken exception to the fact that the MOE has required reduced volumes should the Grand River Low Water Response Team declare a Level 1 or Level 2 drought condition in the watershed. The company raised this objection despite the fact that the MOE has allowed the spike rate increase during the summer months, as was sought in Nestl’s request for renewal. Friends of Hillsburgh Water, plus like-minded organizations and concerned citizens, will be watching closely as events unfold. We very much regret and are dismayed that Nestl has initiated this appeal. Nick Green Friends of Hillsburgh Water Orton, ON
Nick Green