‘Irreplaceable habitat’
Dear Editor:
The stretch of the West Credit River between the Town of Erin and the Village of Belfountain isn’t just another waterway.
It is the “crown jewel” of southern Ontario’s coldwater fisheries, sustaining the longest continuous stretch of native brook trout habitat remaining in the entire Credit River Watershed. As urban development pressures intensify and increasing air temperatures persist due to climate change, this rare ecosystem is at high risk of vanishing.
Now, this irreplaceable habitat faces an immediate and preventable threat.
This September, the Town of Erin plans to begin discharging sewage effluent from its new wastewater plant into the WCR. Shockingly, they intend to do so without an operational effluent cooling system or a publicly transparent effluent temperature management plan.
The town appears to be ignoring a basic environmental reality: autumn wastewater effluent temperatures remain warm and do not mirror cooling air temperatures of the fall months. Without effective chilling, warm effluent will pour directly into the river precisely when native brook trout begin their sensitive spawning season, which spans mid-October through November.
The Coalition for the West Credit River is deeply concerned that the town has requested permission from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to delay installing and operating a cooling system until some unidentified date after the plant begins discharging effluent into the river.
The town’s request to the MECP has not been shared with the coalition despite our numerous requests. They have stated that there are contingency plans to avoid harm to resident Brook Trout, but these plans remain secret.
If the required technology is not ready, Erin must delay its sewage effluent release until the cooling system is operational to effectively meet the Town’s obligations. Bypassing Environmental Compliance Approval requirements, even temporarily, must not be an option.
The coalition – backed by Ontario Streams, Ontario Rivers Alliance, the Greg Clark Chapter of Freshwater Conservation Canada, Izaak Walton Fly Fishing Club, West Credit River Watch and the Belfountain Community Organization will continue to speak up for our precious brook trout. Our advocacy is evidence-based: the required 19°C limit must be upheld. Regulatory commitments made to protect this coldwater ecosystem must be honoured—not waived.
Ann Seymour,
Board member, Coalition for the West Credit River