Puslinch held an extended discussion on the proposed two-year provincial moratorium on new or expanded wells for commercial water bottling operations – and how water taking is being reported in the national media.
In Aberfoyle, the application by Nestlé Waters Canada is for the renewal of an existing permit to take water.
The company has a 15-year operation history in Puslinch.
Conversation began with discussion of Nestlé’s renewal application for its permit to take water.
Mayor Dennis Lever stated, “There’s been a lot in the press about Nestlé … not all of it is as accurate as it could be.”
Lever said information coming out of the city of Guelph appears to be based on emotion rather than science.
“Everyone talks about making evidence-based decisions … but it seems in this case the evidence is being discounted,” he said.
“Nestlé is as concerned as everyone else with what is going on.”
He said in watching the Guelph meeting, it seemed a lot of the discussion seemed to avoid the technical details and evidence.
“I know how I feel, but would like to know how the rest of council feels,” he said.
Councillor John Sepulis stated if one looks specifically at the Mill Creek watershed it does appear Nestlé is taking a considerable amount of water.
As a Puslinch councillor Sepulis said he cannot consider this issue based on the use compared to the entire Grand River watershed.
“I’ve got to look at (it) over our domain,” he said.
He recommended supporting the provincial moratorium for two years or longer – until policies are set out.
Lever stated when the moratorium was announced, “they led people to believe a decision was going to be made soon … but it is a very complex issue.”
Sepulis said he was concerned that issues seem to be running past the township without it being able to do anything.
“Guelph seems to be the elephant in the room; unless we say something we are not going to get attention to our issues,” he added.
Councillor Ken Roth stated, “I think Nestlé is pretty easy to pick on … I’ve had people talk to me who do not live in the township, but know I am on council.
“(These people) think the world is coming to an end …”
Roth contended, “Everything is being blown out of proportion by the media.”
He also noted, “I don’t agree with the two-year moratorium,” since he believed the province would not get anything accomplished.
“But it will be after an election,” he added.
Roth agreed water is a major concern “but we have to look at the total picture. The water Guelph is taking far exceeds anything else in this (part of the) watershed … so let’s talk about the real issue.”
He agreed with the idea proposed by Sepulis for a municipal water system – to protect the municipal needs of Puslinch.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer shared some of his previous concerns.
He wanted to view this within the context of all water taking within the township – including areas that were formerly in Puslinch Township.
“In the overall picture of what is being drawn from the township, this really isn’t that much,” he said.
“When talking about concerns regarding the permit renewal in Aberfoyle, I think our concerns have been well delineated by our consultants.
“As to the overall amount of water being taken, it is a significant amount of water being taken, but is less than 10 per cent and eliminating it will not get rid of any concerns.”
Bulmer stated reports indicating a two-metre drawdown of the local aquifer were not related to Nestlé, but that something else was happening.
“If they decided to turn the operations into a brewery or make pop, the moratorium wouldn’t apply because it only applies to water bottlers,” he said.
He also suggested if a water bottler was hooked into the Guelph city water supply, the moratorium would also not apply.
Bulmer believed the moratorium could actually promote beverages which are less efficient and waste more water.
He did not oppose Nestlé’s renewal, though he has concerns.
As to creating a new water system Lever wanted a consensus to protect local water supply for the long term.
“We know what our own experience with Nestlé, but there is a lot out there that does not accurately reflect what our situation is,” he said.
Bulmer said as a councillor he has had mixed experiences with Nestlé over the years.
He still had concerns, but believed those can be addressed through the permit to take water.
Councillor Susan Fielding agreed that water is a big issue not only locally but across the country.
“But it seems in the media Nestlé Waters has become the target and scapegoat for all of this,” she said.
“As a councillor I do not think the impact is as dire, or nearly as dire as it is being made out to be in the press.”
She was disappointed with the two-year moratorium with a plan laid out as to why two years is needed.
Fielding said there is a lot of existing research out there.
“I’m personally not opposed with Nestlé continuing on the way it has – with continued monitoring,” she said.
“When you look at the science of it, it was eye-opening to discover how little water Nestlé is taking compared to some other water takers which haven’t been discussed.”
Fielding stated her hope that if the province is investigating, it needs to look at the bigger issue.
“I don’t think one business or one form of water user should be targeted,” she said.
She said Puslinch residents are the ones who live with this.
“How do we not get upstaged by the City of Guelph? How do we get our voices heard?” she asked.
Lever said the government has to be aware that this is within Puslinch municipal boundaries, as is most of the City of Guelph’s water taking.
“There are a number of other significant water takers,” Lever added.
He said it is the MOECC’s responsibility to look at the entire picture – see where all the water taking is happening and determine what is the right approach to take.
Bulmer also saw News coverage of the issue seems to show and urban/rural split.
“People who live in urban areas seem to believe that municipal water systems exist everywhere … and they don’t,” he said.
He added that for some rural businesses and industries, bottled water is the only way to comply with provincial legislation.
“Let the market decide. If people didn’t want it, they wouldn’t buy it,” Bulmer said.
Fielding added, “there are lots of reasons why people drink bottled water, and I don’t feel I have the right to take that away. I think it is a choice.”
Sepulis said the issue is not Nestlé – but the city of Guelph.
“Guelph is going to grow, and their water taking will affect our water table,” he said.
Mayor Lever later stated the concerns raised regarding media coverage were not connected with the Wellington Advertiser.
