WHITEWATER REGION — In an effort to measure earthquake activity, seismic activity monitoring equipment could soon be permanently installed in a municipal building in Whitewater Region.
Last month, staff from Natural Resources Canada (NRC) was in Cobden advising this geographic area is within a recognized earthquake zone, but there is a gap in available data, physical services manager Janet Collins advised council at its Nov. 7 council meeting.
Seismic activity monitoring equipment was installed in the township office crawl space, but only a temporary basis, she said. When staff return to evaluate the data, if it turns out to be beneficial, NRC would like to permanently install equipment within the township on a permanent basis, she added.
There would be no cost to the municipality, she noted.
The township currently has a weather monitoring station at the Westmeath office, noted Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay.
“This is a good partnership in terms of having good data,” he said.
There is also a rain gauge at the Ross garage site as well, noted Mayor Hal Johnson. He further noted the weather station in Westmeath is also a monitor for any airborne radiation.
Council agreed to the monitoring equipment being installed if the NRC believes it would be beneficial, at the township hall or another municipal building.
