A proposed moratorium on new groundwater taking and stricter rules for renewing permits will likely put Nestlé Waters’ Middlebrook well project on hold for at least two years.
An Oct. 17 press release from the province states the changes would apply to every water bottling facility that takes groundwater and is required to have a permit under the Ontario Water Resources Act.
New rules would reduce the maximum duration of permit renewals from 10 to five years, as well as require increased public transparency, new operating guidelines, mandatory reductions on water taking during droughts, and further scientific studies.
“Water is essential for the well-being and economic strength in our communities,” Environment and Climate Change Minister Glen Murray stated in a press release.
“With a changing climate, and specifically with the impacts from drought and increasing population growth, we want to work with the people of Ontario to make sure that we are properly protecting this vital resource.”
MOECC spokesman Gary Wheeler confirmed the moratorium applies to Nestlé’s proposed Middlebrook well near Elora, but not to existing Nestlé wells in Aberfoyle and Erin.
“The application for a pump test and any application for a new permit for water taking from groundwater at the Middlebrook well will be prohibited by the proposed moratorium,” he said.
Wheeler noted the new rules would apply to any permit renewal, “including the Nestlé Aberfoyle proposal.”
That application will be posted on the Environmental Registry for public comment, likely after Jan. 1, he stated, adding all input received during the comment period will be considered.
“Nestlé’s existing permit for the Aberfoyle facility remains in force,” Wheeler said.
He explained that “under the Ontario Water Resources Act, if an application for renewal of an existing permit is made at least 90 days before its expiry, the permit remains in force until the ministry makes a final decision on the permit renewal application,”
Ontarians can comment on the proposed moratorium through the Environmental Registry until Dec. 1.
The moratorium would take effect on the date the regulation is filed.
Provincial officials say that while the proposed moratorium is in place, Ontario plans to:
– conduct research to improve understanding of groundwater in Ontario;
– review existing rules for adequate protection of groundwater for future generations; and
– receive public input and feedback on Ontario’s current permitting process and groundwater management moving forward.
A News release from Nestlé Waters Canada states the company supports the government’s commitment to water resource management consultations.
“We plan to be fully engaged in the consultation along with our neighbours and other water users in the Wellington County community and across the public,” stated Nestlé Waters president Debbie Moore.
She added, “We will continue to work with local and provincial governments, environmental agencies and community groups, our employees, as well as local residents on a thorough approach to water resource management to ensure the community’s needs come first.”
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott questioned the government’s rationale for a moratorium.
“There’s an emerging pattern where the Liberals are putting off tough decisions until after the (2018) election,” Arnott stated in a press release. “They were elected to govern. Now it appears that they’re panicking because an election is coming, and they know they lack public support.”
Arnott said scientific studies on groundwater “need to take into account the future growth pressures that are imposed on our communities through the Liberals’ Places to Grow Act.”
He urged the MOECC to “reach out to the University of Guelph’s Centre for Applied Groundwater Research,” which is “undertaking world-leading, collaborative scientific research on groundwater protection.”
Arnott also noted Wellington County municipalities and residents can also provide valuable input.
“My constituents are engaged in this issue and it won’t take them two years to respond,” he said.
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals stated in a press release she is “very supportive” of the moratorium and new regulations proposed by Murray.
Sandals, who last month told the Canadian Press many of the concerns about Nestlé’s water taking are “based on misinformation,” stressed on Oct. 17 that “water is a precious resource.”
“Pressures from summer time droughts and increasing population growth mean we must be diligent to protect it for our future generations,” she said.
“As the MPP for Guelph, I will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with Minister Murray to find long-term, sustainable solutions that put people and the environment first.”
Under the government’s proposed regulations, no company can apply for a new or expanded permit for the purpose of bottling water until Jan. 1, 2019.
