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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-01-13, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2005. Huron East takes action on water problem By Ronda Wicks Special to The Citizen Huron East council recently took the first major step in following a course of action for finding a remedy to the Seaforth-Egmondville water supply problem. The more intensive testing implemented by the Ontario government as a follow-up to the Walkerton tragedy produced results showing that one of the two wells being used to service Seaforth exceeded acceptable limits for uranium and radium content. It was immediately shut down and has the limited use of up to two weeks only in the case of an emergency. Uranium and radium are naturally occurring elements in groundwater systems (springs, aquifers, etc.) that just happen to be higher in some areas than in others depending on the geographical elements. While it is true that drinking waler can be contaminated through by-products of uranium mining it is also true that the rocks in underground water sources can also contain it naturally. Obviously, since Seaforth Huron East gets funding for water supply Residents of the Municipality of Huron East will benefit from cleaner, safer drinking water through an investment under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program. Paul Steckle, MP for Huron-Bruce; Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce; and Joe Seili, Mayor of the Municipality of Huron East made the announcement Jan. 5. The Municipality of Huron East will upgrade the Brussels, Brucefield and Seaforth/Egmondville well supply systems and the Vanastra water works, which will improve drinking water quality for 1,700 households. Improvements include the addition of ultraviolet disinfection, standby power, chlorination equipment, and the installation of control and monitoring equipment. In addition, the Davidson well in Egmondville will be decommissioned. Construction is expected to Letter to the editor THE EDITOR, Just over two weeks ago the whole world was in a slate of shock as news of the overwhelming destruction, devastation and human tragedy caused by the tsunami in the countries bordering the Indian Ocean, has not been mining uranium, the second scenario is the cause for Huron East’s dilemma. Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of radium, a product of decayed uranium. The levels of radon in ground water can be thousands of times higher in groundwater than that of surface water. Mineral or spa water may contain even higher amounts and primary sources of air pollution from radon in homes comes through the use of washing machines, showers, etc. Thus, the problem is of great concern for everyone being supplied by that well. Needing a second well, another one was drilled out but was found to contain the same radioactive substances at unacceptable levels. Huron East had to look at its options and turned to Steve Bums at B.M. Ross for an analysis and report on the cost factors of potential solutions. Exeter and Hensail have found themselves in the same boat, but with a high level of nitrates in their well water. The cure for Exeter has already been decided. The Municipality of South Huron be completed in 2005. The upgrades are required to bring the municipal water system into compliance with the Ontario Drinking Water Systems Regulation (ODWSR) and improve the overall quality of life for residents in Huron East. “Green” municipal infrastructures is a top priority for the Canada- Ontario Infrastructure Program. The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario will each contribute up to $1,318,629 to this project. The Municipality of Huron East will invest the balance of the project’s total eligible cost of $3,955,886. “Residents of Huron East, like all Canadians, want peace of mind in knowing they have access to clean, safe, drinking water in their homes and in their communities,” said Steckle. “The federal government is committed to improving infrastructure in our country, was relayed around the world. As we all watched in horror, I suppose our next reaction was to ask ourselves, “What can we do to help?” Thankfully, the response Continued on page 7 has committed to the cost of installing and maintaining a 10 inch diameter main pipeline on the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System (LHPWSS) from Lake Huron at Grand Bend to Exeter at an accumulated cost of nine million dollars. The jury remained out as of Dec. 15 for the Municipality of Bluewater in regard to Hensall. The cost of joining the LHPWSS would include covering the cost to increase the main line size to handle the volume of water needed to bring their water as far as Exeter, then on to Hensall. They would also have to add a storage facility. Their total accumulative cost was calculated to be about $4 million. Their indecision is due to the fact that they have two other solutions that each cost between $2 million and $3 million for treating the nitrate contaminants (but they have higher annual maintenance costs). Huron East has also considered joining the LHPWSS in piping water into Seaforth and Egmondville from Lake Huron. The benefit is a regular supply of potable and through the Canada- Ontario Infrastructure Program projects such as this one become a reality in our province.” The Government of Canada’s funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework, added Steckle. “Upgrading essential information is an important part of Ontario’s rural plan and demonstrates the McGuinty government’s commitment to build strong rural communities,” Mitchell said. “Our investment in these important upgrades to five water systems in Huron East is an example of how we are working with our federal and municipal partners to Work in progress Continued from page 1 of residents, .but how municipalities can work together as well. The Huron-Bruce MP said the government of Canada’s funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. Steckle said Canadians used to take safe drinking water for granted, but that all changed with Walkerton. “With Walkerton, we learned that water is not as surface water requiring less treatment that could also be a better means for drawing industry into the area (since industries often require larger, guaranteed volumes of water) but the disadvantage is, rather obviously, the initial outlay for the pipeline and holding tanks plus the cost of ongoing maintenance. If Huron East decided to • join onto the LHPWSS and Bluewater did too,’then Huron East would have to pay for even larger pipeline to Exeter, larger capacity pipeline to Hensall and then the main pipeline needed to carry the supply to Seaforth and Egmondville plus water storage. Because of the greater distance to be covered and the cost difference for the larger pipe sizes Huron East’s outlay was projected to be an accumulated $15 million. In dealing with uranium and radium in well water, Huron East did have other options. One option was to test the two current, contaminated wells for good groundwater al deeper levels at an estimated cost of $25,000 per well. The first of these wells is located on Welsh Street and the deliver safe, clean drinking water to all Ontarians.” “We are delighted that this project is moving forward for the benefit of our residents in Huron East served by the municipal water systems,” said Seili. “Thanks to the support of the federal and provincial governments, we can now take the necessary steps to ensure safe, clean 'drinking water for the local residents who depend on our municipal water system.” This is one of a series of matching federal and provincial investments to help municipalities protect the health and safety of their residents through essential infrastructure projects, totaling more than $1.2 safe as it should be,” he said. “We must provide our citizenry with safe, clean drinking water.” Engineer Andy McBride of R. J. Bumside and Associates Ltd. of Wingham said they are aiming for the tendering of the project in the spring, with the construction to begin sometime this summer or fall. “Hopefully, the new system can be commissioned by the end of 2005,” he said. McBride said work on the final design is now in progress. second one is in the vicinity of McCann’s gravel pit. Another option would be to install a high-level water treatment facility that would treat the contaminants until they were reduced to ‘safe’ levels and the final option would be to install a high- level filtration system that would remove the contaminants from the water. With this last option also comes the cost of contaminant disposal. Figures for these options are less than the pipeline in the initial outlay but the operating costs over time could possibly surpass it overall. At a previous meeting, deputy-mayor Bernie MacLellan pointed out that they “(couldn't) just keep drilling wells indefinitely until they found a good one” although considering the cost factors of the other alternatives one might want to try. Larry McGrath had pinpointed the uncontrollable factor that lies in the realm of future government regulations. As he stated, not to belittle the situation at hand but there’s always that billion to date in Ontario. A large number of these projects will ensure municipalities can supply residents with clean, safe drinking water. © Ontario frustrating point where a person just has to stop and ask, “What next? Will new legislation a few years down the road make all this effort worthless and another new process have to be engaged? Would someone with a crystal ball please step forward?” One thing that is known is that if it costs more than $70,000 there is a federal government program the municipality can apply to for up to 50 per cent subsidy. Council has chosen to test drill the two selected wells deeper in search of good groundwater below (hoping to spend the least amount of money necessary). The associated cost in this water issue will not fall on all of the ratepayers in Huron East but if test drilling fails to provide a solution, instead of drilling deeper the ratepayers of Seaforth and Egmondville may face the grim reality of having to dig deeper into pocket for one of the other solutions. Asked if any of the Canada- Ontario Infrastructure Program funding would be put toward the Seaforth- Egmondville water issue, Seili replied that the original application outlined specific projects that needed to be done within Huron East. The money will be applied to those projects. If any money is applied to Seaforth- Egmondville’s well water problem it will be decided later. 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