A plan to expand the City of Guelph’s drinking water sources was presented to Guelph-Eramosa council for the second time on May 5.
Guelph’s water supply program manager Dave Belanger attended the meeting to discuss how the water supply plan update is progressing. The city is looking to fill its water need for the next 25 years, with options including: digging new wells within city limits, creating new wells outside the city or tapping water from sources like Guelph Lake.
The current system consists of 25 production wells, including the Arkell Spring Grounds in Puslinch. Four of the 25 wells are currently offline.
“We are a groundwater based community and have been for over 100 years,” Belanger told council.
It’s expected the city’s population will grow to about 190,000 by 2038 and will outstrip current daily water supply which is almost 84,000 cubic metres resulting in a deficit position of about 18,500 cubic metres in 25 years. Project costs range from $4.5 million to develop a new well within the city to about $5.3 million for a well outside city limits. The Guelph Lake option would have an estimated capital cost of $42 to $78 million depending on facilities required to treat water and other infrastructure needed.
Concerns raised were related to recent water source protection regulations by the provincial government.
Councillor Doug Breen is concerned about the legislation’s impact on property owners around a well located in the township if that option goes forward.
“It’s an unknown dragon we’re fighting,” he said of the impact of the regulations.
Belanger agreed, source water protection is something “we’re trying to get our heads around.”
Belanger said if a property close to a well has a nutrient management plan he believes it would satisfy source water protection regulations, “90 to 95 per cent.”
Mayor Chris White said no options have been decided on by Guelph.
“I don’t think they’re asking for it now,” the mayor said following the presentation. “They’re saying by 2038 they’re going to need more water.”
