Even without any of its own municipal water systems, source water protection may be a significant issue for Puslinch Township in the future.
On June 1, Mayor Dennis Lever said he had attended a recent source water protection meeting in Aboyne, where a number of issues for the township became clear.
He said the documents relating to fuel oil and septic systems dealing with source water protection “also caught my eye as well.”
Lever said the meeting included a formal presentation as well as information posters, along with officials to answer questions.
He said that while source water protection is aimed at municipal drinking water systems and Puslinch does not have one, “a fairly large area in the north end is in the ‘zone’ [for Guelph’s drinking water protection area].”
That area surrounds the Arkell wells, which serve the city.
Lever said letters to residents went out last fall, something he had not known.
Lever said those residents will receive more communication regarding this issue.
And because the issue affects township residents, Lever said it would be a good idea for councillors to attend at least one of the source water protection meetings to be aware where the township stands.
One of the things he cited was a schedule of when actions will be taken.
He said all of the study and public information is to be completed and handed in to the ministry by 2012.
“So the next six months are going to be fairly active for public participation, letters going out, and engaging residents in the affected areas.”
Councillor Susan Fielding noted that the Hamilton and Halton source water protection work letters have also gone out.
“There are Puslinch residents in the south end affected buy that,” she said.
Council was unaware of similar issues near Cambridge, although Lever said there is a municipal well in the area since it was brought up recently in an application to the township.
