ELORA – Local water activist group Save Our Water hosted a community gathering to celebrate nearly seven years of fighting to keep Centre Wellington’s water supply within the township.
The community event was held at the Bissell Park Pavilion in Elora on May 14 and saw roughly 30 people in attendance.
A banner was on hand for people to sign, as well as a “water wall” where the community was welcome to write their thoughts about the importance of a safe water supply.
Since the group began, the Centre Wellington community hasn’t lost a drop to Nestlé Water or BlueTriton – the new owner of Nestlé Waters Canada and the Middlebrook well situated on the west side of Elora – according to Save Our Water activists.
The seven years have been comprised of protest marches, numerous planning meetings, public events, and information campaigns, and this event gave Save Our Water the opportunity to thank the community for their efforts over the years.
A banner was on hand for people to sign, as well as a “water wall” where the community was welcome to write their thoughts about the importance of a safe water supply.
During the May 14 event, activists and community members that played a hand in the success reflected on how far they’ve come.
“It’s been profound, it’s been exciting, it’s been a load of hard work,” said long-time Save Our Water activist Donna McCaw. “It’s been working with politicians at the municipal level and at the provincial level.
“It has been a whole campaign that has been organized in this community and has been an effective one,” she added.
McCaw also relayed where the local water activist group is at now, as it approaches the seven-year mark.
She said the group is waiting on the results from the four pilot wells to be drilled north of Middlebrook to determine which two sites will have the test wells, noting that BlueTriton has torn down the buildings at Middlebrook and have reduced their pumping at the other two sites.
Notably, as of April 2021, new legislation has been put in place with changes to the Ontario Water Resources Act that now allow all Ontario municipalities input on new water bottling permits.
With this change, before a water bottling company can apply to the province for a new water taking permit, the host municipal council must pass a resolution supporting or objecting to the proposed water taking.
McCaw noted a company could still apply to take 379,000 litres per day without municipal consent.
“That would be the trigger to call you back, that would be another rallying cry,” she explained. “It’s still too much for this water vulnerable area.
“We must make sure our municipal politicians understand the seriousness of this water issue,” she added. “We need educated and engaged municipal politicians on this issue.”
For more information, visit www.saveourwater.ca.
