The Rural Voice, 2003-08, Page 46Ag News
Huron study calls for protection for water
A Huron county study has suggested
land use restrictions may need to be
placed on lands over aquifers that
provide water to municipal wells that
are susceptible to contamination.
A study presented to Huron County
council July 3 names Benmiller,
Blyth, Brussels, Clinton, Seaforth,
Wingham and Hensall as
communities that should be the initial
focus of efforts to protect municipal
wells from possible contamination.
All seven are identified as being
highly susceptible to contamination
with potential sources of
contamination near the wells.
The "near" designation is defined
in the study by B. M. Ross and
Associates and International Water
Consultants as the area in which a
drop of water could travel through
the aquifer to the well within two
years. Since the movement of water
through the aquifer is east to west,
generally this "capture zone" is to the
east of a municipal well.
The municipal wells are located in
areas of the county that were judged
susceptible to groundwater
contamination, either because the
depth of soil over the bedrock, or the
type of porous soil between the
surface and the aquifer. The situation
in Brussels and Seaforth is
complicated by the presence of
sinkholes which might allow
contaminants to enter the
underground water system.
The study also draws attention to
the problem of an unknown number
of abandoned water wells in the
county that could allow
contamination into groundwater. It
notes there are more than 6,000
recorded wells in the county, some of
which might need upgrading, but
there could be many others that lie
forgotten. Part of the wellhead
protection area strategy would
include finding out about abandoned
wells and having them properly
plugged.
The susceptibility of some
municipal wells needs to be taken
into account with landuse planning in
the capture zone of the well,
explained Matt Pearson of B. M.
Ross and Associates. The areas of
highest susceptibility require the
most care and that might include
purchase of property by the
municipality, he said. Areas farther
from the wellhead might simply
require policies to protect the water.
Municipalities need to establish
relationships with landowners in the
capture zone, Pearson said. Best
management practices need to be
encouraged, not just among farmers
who have been the focus of such
efforts, but also among other
businesses.
Currently, however, there is no
money for municipalities to carry out
wellhead protection. While South
Continued on page 44
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AUGUST 2003 43