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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-02-07, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1990 Special delivery These hungry triplets wereasurprise for Susan Buffinga of RR 1, Blyth who originally thought she was delivering one calf from a cow while her husband Bert was at a meeting. The triplets are all healthy and are named Peter, Paul and Mary. Melville forms committee Changes in farm practices will improve water BY BONNIE GROPP The quality of our water has been an increasingly important issue and about 50 concerned environmen­ talists, farmers and conservation­ ists were on hand January 31 at an Information Day in Seaforth, spon­ sored by the Ausable-Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Au­ thorities, to discuss this issue and its possible solutions. In opening the meeting, Bruce McCall, chairman of the Hullett Valley Conservation Authority said, “Virtually everyone has a role to play in keeping our water clean.” For three consecutive years be­ ginning in 1986 and ending in 1988, the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) tested about 2500 water samples collected from the Maitland watershed. During the first year, none of the samples met safe government standards for coliform bacteria for recreational use. Coliform bacteria exists in the intestines of all warm blooded animals and finding it in water generally indicates the water is contaminated with other disease­ causing bacteria, an MVCA report claims. The presence of coliform bacteria will not change the appearance of the water but does pose an imme­ diate health hazard if the water is used for drinking or swimming, causing stomach flu, diarrhea, and eye, ear and throat infections. Tests taken in 1987 and 1988 revealed only 13 per cent and 21 per cent respectively met the government standards. The MVCA also tested for phos­ phorous, which though not hazar­ dous to the health of swimmers does affect water quality. Encour­ aging the growth of aquatic plants by acting as a fertilizer, phosphor­ ous also results in algae blooms, which leads to a loss of oxygen in the water that in turn damages fish and other aquatic life. These three year studies showed that the levels of phosphorous were found generally to be above government guidelines. In his speech to those attending the water quality meeting Dr. Clare Rennie, representing the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) said, “There is no doubt that agriculture has had an impact on the environment due to the growth of intensive livestock and crop production and manage­ ment.” Dr. Rennie, Assistant-Deputy Minister of Agriculture, made re­ ference to studies done by the Pollution from Land Use Activities Reference Group, whose final re­ port in 1978 “indicated a signifi­ cant agricultural contribution to water quality degradation” making its correction this a priority in the province. He noted that other studies that had been conducted in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environ­ ment (MOE), local conservation authorities and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) focused on the affects of agriculture on local water resources as opposed to the Great Lakes. “It became apparent that the improper handling of livestock manure and milkhouse wastewater were two significant sources of bacterial contamination,” he said. Murray Blackie, Agricultural Specialist with the Ministry of the Environment spoke to the crowd about the CURB (Clean Up Rural Beaches) Plan which was the result of a study conducted by MVCA in conjunction with the ministry in 1986. The program was established to look at the pollution problems that have resulted in the closing of area beaches. According to Mr. Blackie they discovered relatively high levels of plant growth indicating high phos­ phorous levels and bacteria in the rural and urban watersheds that were looked at. They examined upstream sources and estimated the relative contributions of pollu­ your loved one and there's absolutely no calories A Book" discovered was that 66 per cent of the came from faulty tion sources in the Maitland Valley to pollution problems at the beach in Goderich. What they an alarming contaminants septic systems. A survey of rural households completed in 1987 and 88 discovered that less than half of the septic systems were serviced at the recommended interval. Almost 10 per cent were never serviced and over 30 per cent may not have been installed correctly. It is esti­ mated that 2700 household septic systems in the Maitland watershed have failed and are polluting rivers and streams. Winter manure spreading was responsible for 26 per cent of the pollution problem while cattle ac­ cess was the cause of six percent of the contamination and 2 per cent were caused by other sources. Susan Bragg of the MVCA stated, “One cow feces contains enough bacteria to render six backyard swimming pools un­ usable. Doug Hocking, of the Ausable- Bayfield Conservation Authority says, allowing cattle access to streams and rivers transmits di­ sease rapidly. “If you have one animal defacating in a stream while another is drinking from the same stream it contributes to the rapid spread of disease in herds,” he said. While the thrust of the informa­ tion centred around the effects of a lasting gift for BLYTH 523-9141 LISTOWEL 291-2145 The Annual meeting of the Melville Presbyterian Church was held following Sunday service, February 4, with approximately 40 members present. All groups reported a successful year. Some highlights of the year were: the induction of The Rever­ end Caroline McAvoy in June; the Sunday School decided to sponsor a foster child through World Vision and raised some of the required money through serving Easter Breakfast; the church tower restor­ ation was completed and paid for; the Vestry was repaired, redecor­ ated and converted into an office for The Rev. Caroline. There are still a few furnishings needed. Wilfred Shortreed, Sunday School superintendent for 30 years retired during the year and Mary Douma is now superintendent. Thanks was given to Wilfred for his devoted service over the years. Board Chairman John Exel told the meeting that a new roof for the church is urgently needed and it will be an expensive proposition. Wheel chair access was mentioned as a possible future goal but will be left until the roof repairs are agricultural industry on the water sources all speakers agreed that farmers are not the sole contribu­ tors to the contamination but stressed that correcting the pro­ blem has to start somewhere. Bob Bedggood of the Middlesex Federation of Agriculture, who is himself a farmer stated, “We know farmers are not the only polluters. We know that industry pollutes, we know that refineries pollute, but we must look at what we as farmers can do today. There are four things that we should change that could have a positive effect on rural water. Our number one priority is to take the cattle out of the water.” Next he listed milkhouse waste, soil erosion, and winter manure spreading as areas where farmers can begin to solve the problem. “Water is a gift and the power to protect or destroy it rests with us,” he finished. Ms. Bragg said, “It is important that we think of this problem on an NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The 114th Annual Meeting of the Members will be held in the OFFICEBUILDING McKillop Mutual Insurance Company 91 Main Street, South, SEAFORTH, Ontario on WED., February28,1990 at1:30p.m. -to receive and dispose of the 1989 financial and Auditor’s Reports. -to appoint Auditors, -to consider and enact proposed amendments to -bylaw #31 -bylaw #33 -to transact any other business that may properly come from the meeting. -The retiring Directors are Eric Anderson, Stuart Wilson and Ken Moore. All are eligible for re-election. Any person wishing to seek election or re-election as a Director must file his intention to stand for election in writing with the Secretary of the Company at least seven days in advance of the Annual Meeting. [By-law No. 21 [d] ]. James Cardiff Secretary-T reasurer-Manager completed. A new committee has been formed “Vision For The Future’’. The Rev. Caroline will be basing her sermons on “Vision for the Future” for the next eight weeks. Valentine & Greeting Cards Brussels Variety ^R87-6224^f SHOP OUR INDOOR USED CAR SHOWROOM 1989 Mercurv Sable Gs, loaded wi^pxSer options, low mileSje, like new. 1988 Monte CarloSS, Black with red trim & grey interior, immaculate. 1988 Chrysler Dynasty, air, under 2600 miles 1988 Pontiac Firefly, sil­ ver, 5speed, gas saver, low mileage, like new. 1987 Pontiac 6000, with air 1986 Pontiac Parisienne, silver, 8 cylinder, 1 owner, Moaded 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Brougham, blue with mat­ ching interior, power op­ tions, 1 owner. 1986 Pontiac Trans Am, sharp red, low mileage, lotsof options, good buy on trade ins. 1987 Cordoba, 1982 Ford Van, 1983 Omni SALES & SERVICE LTO = 887 9269