Loading...
The Rural Voice, 2002-09, Page 70PERTH Burnell Kipfer, R.R. #1, S 1 PF7 PCFA Office 519-229-6430ebringvilleNOK FaxXO 519-229-6269h: e -mai: 519-271-3399 ax perth@ofa.on.ca 519-23-0789 County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER • The Rural Voice is provided to farmers in Perth County by the PCFA. Money available for improvements to private wells By Jack Wilkinson, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture For almost a year. residents of rural Ontario have been able to get money to help with upgrades of their water wells or to cap abandoned wells. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is administering this program for the county federations of agriculture across the province. Initially, there was in excess of $6 million from the Healthy Futures for Ontario Agriculture program available for the Rural Well Upgrading and Decommissioning Project. That was the good news, and there is more good news — OMAF Minister Helen Johns has extended the time this money is available by another year. The intent of the program is to protect groundwater supplies from surface water and other contamination. With grant money of up to two-thirds of the cost of upgrading an existing well or capping an abandoned well, OFA was expecting the applications would come in at an overwhelming rate, and the money would be used up quickly. Unfortunately. less than 15 per =ent of the available money has been .located for work done to date, and ne applications are slow to arrive. Water experts tell us that wells over 50 years old. if not regularly Maintained_ are usually in poor .ondition. When they reach this state, _ontaminated surface water can enter .he system and present health risks to many linked to the same groundwater network PERTH COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE NO DIRECTORS' MEETING IN SEPTEMBER Next meeting October 24, 2002 Downie Mutual Insurance Office Sebringville - 8:00 p.m. EVERYONE WELCOME 66 THE RURAL VOICE We are also told of large numbers of abandoned wells in the province posing not only health but safety risks to landowners, visitors, and even animals. We have also heard of people with their own formula for capping an abandoned well. but there are science -based ways. of doing the job, and that's what the program is intended to encourage. People at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture know how tough economic times are in agriculture today, and that's another reason the Healthy Futures program has been accessed for funding. Upgrading water wells and capping abandoned wells are jobs better left to professionals, and that's what the money in the program is for. When you consider the groundwater network travels a multitude of directions and contaminants entering the system on an individual property can pose a health threat to many, tapping into the available money and professional help available makes good sense. There are a number of eligible projects the money can be used for - everything from extending a well casing to at least 1'6 inches above grade to upgrading an existing casing with new material and grading the surfaces around the well to ensure surface water runs away from the well and not down the side of the casing. Bringing the top of the casing to the minimum of 16 inches above grade is now law in Ontario, so using this program to ensure your water well conforms would make good sense. Properties with abandoned wells can access the program for funds to properly seal such a well to protect the groundwater system. The Ministry of the Environment now requires wells not in service be professionally sealed, so again, using this program seems like the wise thing to do. OFA's Member Service Representatives across the province can supply the application form for the program, and provide recommendations on how to proceed with the work. Since Minister Johns has recognized the value of the program with a deadline extension. OFA is anxious to see everyone needing improvements to their private water wells get their applications filed and the work done as soon as possible. For more details and contact information for OFA's Member Service Representative in your area, call 1-800-ONT-FARM - 1-800-668- 3276.0 Perth County Federation of Agriculture ANNUAL MEETING AND OFA REGIONAL MEETING Thursday, September 26, 2002 Sebringville Community Centre Guest Speaker: Mr. Gabriele Del Bianco Meal 7:00 p.m. Meeting 8:15 p.m. Meal Tickets $12.00 Tickets for the meal are available from County Directors Delegates to OFA Convention will be elected at the OFA Regional Meeting. If you are interested in attending Convention contact one of the County Directors or the office. Directors to represent your area at the County level will be elected at the County Annual Meeting. We are short representation in several areas of the County. 11 you wish to have some input on the activities of the County Federation contact a County Director or the office.