Councillors here have concerns with the town’s name being associated with a committee where the town has little control – or say.
On May 22 Erin water superintendent Frank Smedley, told councillors Nestlé Waters Canada has a committee that deals with issues that may arise as a result of its water pumping.
Smedley said there is a process in which those with well problems can contact well technicians who would inspect the wells – at no cost. Those technicians would let the property owner know if the problem originated with the well or as a result of Nestlé operations.
“If the problem is a result of Nestlé, obviously the company would be paying for it.”
Councillor Barb Tocher asked who pays for the technicians. Nestlé would, Smedley said.
He said if the problem is a result of Nestlé, the company would decide on an appropriate action. He said the municipality is part of the process, and in Puslinch the municipality has handed out thr refrigerator magnets with contact information.
“[Nestlé] wondered if we would do the same thing.”
Smedley said people often call the town first anyway.
In offering a draft of the magnet design, Smedley said he has no issue with the idea. The municipality has no liability.
Maieron said issue is if the municipality would have the information available for people.
Smedley believed the idea would be to mail the magnet to people on the list of properties that could be affected – not to everybody.
Councillor John Brennan took issue with the information being provided.
Citing the example from Puslinch, Brennan was concerned it stated The Township of Puslinch well protection committee. “It doesn’t say Nestlé.” Brennan would not argue with something being called the Town of Erin Well Protection “if we had a say, but I don’t think we do. I think Nestlé investigates this, and if they decide they are responsible, they take remedial action. They decide what is in the best interests of themselves and the landowner. I don’t think the town really gets any say.”
Smedley agreed, but said while the town may not have a voice, the Ministry of Environment does. Nestlé is required to contact the MOE as soon as there is a problem reported.
Smedley saw value in the committee if there was a meeting with the MOE and the company, the town would have the information.
Brennan said his concern is not in the provision of the telephone numbers to call which he did favour. He is concerned “with calling it the Town of Erin well protection committee when we have no say … especially when [the municipality] does not have a well protection committee.”
Maieron believes the committee is a response to concerns in Puslinch where it was believed some wells had gone down because of the Nestlé operation there. He did, however, agree with Brennan’s point it should be called the Erin committee if it does not originate in the town.
Smedley said there is a variation of that committee that includes representatives from both Puslinch and Erin.
Councillor Barb Tocher suggested simply removing the reference to either municipality – then people will know it is Nestlé.
She took issue with the inclusion of the slogan – “a healthy, hydration company.”
She said, “They may advertise themselves that way, but it isn’t necessarily what we want our name associated with.”
Smedley said people are often just looking for support.
