Steve Livingstone of Geocentrics Engineering presenting wellhead protection and sourcewater protection plans for the regions of Beachburg and Haley Road.
He said the two phases were the assessment phase, where the two areas were assessed, and aspects such as road salts and other surface sources of contamination, and the second was to create an Sourcewater Protection Plan for the region.
He said that the areas had a lot of available water, so quality was more of a focus than quality.
He said the the main threat to Beachburg and Haley Road’s water were septic systems, and resulted in higher samples of E.coli and Coleform.”
He said Beachburg had a total of 33 septic system water threats within the well’s scope, which is ‘a significant outcome of the study’.
He said that Haley Road also had ‘nothing to impede’ contamination of the water supply, and was a result of 25 total septic systems that were threats.
He said that given that the septic systems ‘lay on private properties’ their exact locations were not known.
Their plan was to locate septic systems and leaching beds, and to ensure that septic systems were pumped property every 3-5 years, as well as set best practices or guidelines for septic systems for the regions and regular inspections of private systems near the wells.
He said that road salts were another plan: “it’s one of those sneaky things. They can sneak up and they can destroy aquifers, they can make the water not potable and it can take years and decades to clean up.”
He said that education and outreach to local stakeholders such as fuel handlers and agricultural centers, and other announcements.
“It’s all about awareness.” Livingstone said. “Aquifer water is beneath us, we don’t really see it, but it impacts our lives.”
He recommended monitoring future water quality trends and updating the areas over the years.
“Do we have any control over our septic systems? Do they have to be pumped, or is it just suggestions?” Councillor Tabbert asked.
“As it currently stands we do not have a septic re-inspection plan or requirements on pumping.” CAO Burton said. “I think what Mr. Livingstone is referring to is we could develop a framework where we could have mandatory re-inspection programs. In most examples that I’ve reviewed on Ontario, the municipality is funding that re-inspection program. In the case where that system is failed, we would have the issue to issue orders through the Ontario Building Code.”
Councillor Tabbert asked if there was a road salt plan, which Lane Cleroux confirmed that they did not, but that it was ‘in the plan to develop’.
“Do we spread a lot of salt in the Beachburg and Haley Road stations?” Councillor Tabbert asked.
“We do spread salt in the Haley Road area.” Cleroux said, though he said they spread less in the Beachburg area.
Councillor Mark Bell asked Mr. Livingstone if he had any opinions on building and development in the area.
“I don’t think there should be restrictions on development.” Livingstone said. “Just a bit more understanding or putting forward risk management plans, whether they be best practices or part of a building permit.”
Mayor Neil Nicholson asked about the size of the Well Protection Area and what determines it, to which Mr. Livingstone said that it was “geology and hydrology, pumping rates, pumping depths, and time.”
Mayor Nicholson asked about geothermal wells, and whether they would safe.
“Geothermal wells tend to be deeper, since. I think it would be wise on any geothermal application to look where it sits, and whether it has any impact.”
Councillor Moore asked if any permit was required to install a geothermal well, to which CAO Burton said he would check into and confirm.
The report was received in a separate item later, where Planning head Lane Cleroux
Mayor Nicholson asked if the contractor map could be overlayed on a map ‘they were more familiar with’ like the planning map, which CAO Burton said that they would do.
Councillor Moore asked if there were three wells at one time, which Cleroux said there ‘were only two’.
Cleroux said that they were investigating the dug well to determine if it needs to be decommissioned and replaced, and that they should know by next budget.
The motion passed.
