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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2002-12-18, Page 1010 -TME MORON IXPOSLTOR, OECIUMBER 1., 2002 News aultwovuagir Hensall pilot wellhead protection project is first of its kind in Ontario ByN.Ni. Evans Lakeshore Advance Editor Vern Alderdice, a Hensall- area farmer for 50 years, is so concerted about the quality of local water he's going to do something about it. Last Wednesday, Dec., 11, Alderdice walked right up to a handful of engineers heading a new study committee and signed up. And then he read aloud his concerns from a prepared statement during the Dec. 11 public information meeting about the Hensall Wellhead Protection Pilot Project, a joint endeavor of the Huron County planning department and consultants B. M. Ross and Associates Ltd. of G oderich. The project is funded mainly by the Ministry of the Environment (85 per cent) and the County of Huron (15 per cent). About 80 people met at 'the Hensall Community Centre to hear about the study. Over the past 50 years, Alderdice noticed coincidental patterns in water quality. When a Highway 4 cattle feedlot began in the 1970s, an adjacent forest began to die and within a few years and into the 1980s, nitrate levels rose significantly in the water supplying the village of Hensall. Nitrates come from a mix of natural manure and chemical fertilizer. Later that decade, the cattle were removed and nitrate levels decreased, wrote Alderdice in his statement. In the mid-90s, cattle were put back in the feedlot and nitrate levels rose again. '1 suspect there's more than one source of nitrates. Many studies have identified the probable source is crop inputs. Not that they've been excessive, but because the aquifer is close to the surface. We're not going to finger point," responded Senior Environmental Planner Matt Pearson. "When nitrates dropped, they were still high at eight and nine. Common is one. We're not going to pin it on any one place." Huron East says doctor incentives necessary Although they don't like the idea of using financial incentives to lure doctors to rural areas, Huron East council has accepted the fact that it is a necessary process. At their Dec. 10 meeting, council unanimously defeated a motion to support the city of St. Catherines in its effort to stop the provincial government from allowing communities to offer incentives to attract medical professionals. "I. don't agree with medical incentives, but right now it's one of the best methods we have to lure physicians to this area," Deputy Mayor Bernie MacLellan told councillors lastTesday night. The letter, written by Ken Todd, director of corporate support services for the city of St. Catherines, said that the incentives are compounding the problem of family physician recruitment for some communities that don't have extra financial resources. According to Todd's letter, Ontario's doctor shortage has reached "an unprecedented high," with an estimated need of 726 family physicians and over 400 multi -specialty physicians. "I would prefer that we didn't have to offer the incentives, but it's something we need to do," commented MacLellan in a telephone interview following the meeting. By Jennifer Jackson Pearson later said one aquifer is only six feet under ground. Municipal wells draw water from aquifers. Alderdice and Bill Jennison, a local gravel pit owner, both asked the engineers to move the study area further north to include the feedlot and gravel pit. Hydrogeologist Murray Ostrender of Waterloo Numerical Modelling Corporation explained why the study or capture area was placed on the east side of the village of Hensall, extending into the former Hay and Tuckersmith townships. He showed a three- dimensional computer model to illustrate how rainfall and river/stream water flows from the northeast side of Hensall and is funnelled "almost directly south" by two underground clay fields called aquitards. The Ministry of the Environment has required that this pilot study include the maximum 25 -year capture zone. "Water flows from the east toward Lake Huron," said Ostrender, showing graphs of data proving this point, "but in Hensall groundwater goes almost straight south toward the water field. There are no aquifers on the north and south sides of Hensall. It's not permeable there and that's why water flows almost directly south." "The water people drink comes from the east," Pearson reiterated, "We used to think the water came from the north to the south but now the water comes from a larger area and is influenced by aquitards and is funnelled to a different area." It takes a drop of water 25 years to get from the eastern side of the study area to the Hensall municipal wells, said. hydrogeologist Mike Fairbanks of International Water Consultants Ltd. of Barrie. "This complicates things," added Pearson, "You can't just look at farm practices and solve the nitrate problem." While Pearson hinted the capture area may naturally move north as the project progresses, Ostrender said the area was drawn to the east of Hensall because there is less data from. that area than from the north. The pilot project will attempt to develop a wellhead protection plan that can be copied by other counties. This is the first such plan in Ontario, says Pearson, and the Ministry of the Environment is watching this project closely. The meeting was videotaped specifically for the purpose of promoting the project to others. "This is better than the province stepping in. This time the province is waiting for us," he said. "We're better if we can make the rules on a local level." The steering committee which Alderdice joined will also contain the engineers, councillors from the municipalities of Bluewater and Huron East, the Huron County Health Unit, the Ministry of the Environment and more people from the public. Later in 2003, the committee will in a report, a) define the wellhead protection area in detail; b) identify potential sources of contamination; c) evaluate risk from potential sources of contamination; d) provide recommendations on wellhead protection and finally, attempt to implement the recommendations. Pearson said solutions could possibly range from buying out farm owners to stop land use or building a waterline from either Exeter or Lake. Huron, noting any solution will be expensive. Last May, at a public meeting in Hensall, engineer Frank Vanderloo estimated solution costs could range from $700,000 to over $1 million. "It could involve a change in farm practices 'cause there's a long history of nitrate problems and there's been a ton of studies done here back to the early '80s," said Pearson. One common recommendation from past studies, he noted, was that Hensall should implement a Jiotictay May happiness and peace be yours all through this joyous season. Thanks to our many. friends and neighbours for their patronage. Carl, Curtis & Luke McCallum Automotive R.R. #4 Walton beside Family Paradise 527-2332 Family Owned & Operated Brakes, Exhaust, 7Lne-Ups & Safety Checks, Exhaust Gas Diagnostic Capabilities, Licenced Auto Repair Since 1989 Now Licenced Emission Repair Technician groundwater protection strategy. So why wasn't it done? "One likely reason is no one knew how to do it," he responded. Jennison expressed skepticism that water would take 25 years to get from the gravel pit to the municipal wells when the wells continue to pump during low water levels for the past three years. "I agree. Water moves faster through gravel and the aquifer is less than six feet below ground in some places," said Ostrender. The Huron County planning department is three- quarters of the way through its county -wide groundwater assessment and municipal source protection study, said director- Scott Tousaw, and plans to submit a report to county council in either April or May. The Hensall pilot project fits into this general study. "We're not setting out to implement wellhead protection. But it is a long- term plan. It's presently a planning exercise," he said. Pearson explained this information will be used by county planners as they review Official Plans for member municipalities. Yuletide Greetings The Vincent family and staff wish all of you the best holiday season ever. We look forward to seeing you in 2003. WUCWIALU 11/4 miles North of Seaforth 527-0120 Our Best Wishes and Heartfelt Thanks to all our Customers DAVE MOORE FUELS t1D. 'Serving Your Petroleum Needs!' 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