GOT SIDETRACKED (WESTWARDS/WILMOT) : BACK TO JEN LYNDALL'S (INTEGRAL) SILLY REPORT TO TRAC

 

Silly is a nicer word than deceptive, evasive, phony or corrupt. As I have mentioned it's hard to write an intelligent and honest data Summary of dozens of sad, pathetic and client driven pieces of garbage (GIGO-garbage in, garbage out). Half the battle is won simply by a single presentation to TRAC followed by...nothing. It takes time to read carefully, analyze, understand and form an intelligent response. I've got that time and ability whereas most TRAC members who have the ability simply don't have the time or the incentive ($$$) to do so. They have paying jobs and careers and homes and families to take up their spare time. 

One of the biggest, most nonsensical pieces of crap that she bestowed upon TRAC are a series of Figures as in Figure 4-24 to 4-63. She referred to these Figures as I believe Box and Whiskey Plots. I don't know the origins of that name. These Figures allege to show large (many not all) amounts of data recorded for DDT and dioxin concentrations in Surface Sediments, Subsurface Sediments, Surface Soils, Subsurface Soils, versus either Location (Reach 1-4, Background) or Time (eg. 1996, 1997, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2022). 

There are a few issues with these Figures which I have previously mentioned such as the vertical (y) scale for concentrations visually minimizing the extent and amount of extremely high concentration readings of Total DDT and or Dioxin/Furan TEQ (toxic equivalency).There are other problems including large numbers of high Method Detection Limits (MDL) leading to far too many orchestrated Non Detects (N.D.) in the data  however the simplest and most obvious problem is the lack of relevance of the concentrations being shown. Yes you can compare the concentrations with location/distance downstream from Lanxess (Uniroyal) towards the Grand River and even somewhat over time (eg. 1996-2022)  but really and significantly what do they mean and how serious are they? Nobody knows and I think that is intentional.

Ms. Lyndall has failed to include any health criteria whether provincial or federal for either Total DDT or for Dioxins/Furans. The accepted health concentrations (which differ) for these two compounds as well as differing whether for Soils or for Sediments are MIA (missing in action). They need to be written on the Figures as well as most importantly drawn as a horizontal line across the Figures hence immediately showing how many of the data points are above (exceed) the mandated health concentrations.

Doing that exposes the massive and major contamination for five miles downstream from Uniroyal/Lanxess. This report was produced on behalf of Lanxess Canada for the purpose of once more snowing and bulldozing TRAC and the public. Mission mostly accomplished.

I THINK THAT WATERLOO REGION'S WATER SYSTEM IS IN BIG TROUBLE

 

This is based upon multiple lines of evidence. Unfortunately it's also based upon multiple lies by the Region over the years. Also multiple deceptions. Lies, bragging and puffery do not produce healthy, clean water. The Region of Waterloo based upon their own self congratulatory back patting seem to think otherwise.

Looking at lists of wells and wellfields throughout the Region I find it disheartening to see the following words after too many listed wells namely: Standby, Disconnected, Purge, Abandoned. Also looking at the Number of Significant Threat Activities and the Number of  Properties with Significant Threats as listed in the Grand River Source Protection Area 2025 is downright scary.  Looking at the various listed threats including Nitrates, TCE, Chemicals, DNAPLS, Pathogens, Salt, Chloride  etc. does not build confidence. Another issue I find strange is that despite off and on warnings of water shortages and for example water rationing for lawns, again far too many wells throughout the Region are NOT pumping anywhere near their stated capacities and alleged abilities. Why is that?

I also am aware of the disinterest in soil and groundwater remediation to the point of denial of known facts by our authorities if it will reduce costs and enhance development and building. Growth apparently is never to be stymied or stalled either by lack of water or excess of contaminants. Workarounds, engineering "solutions", natural attenuation or whatever verbal manipulations are required to promote progress and growth at all costs, always wins out. This game is not sustainable and we, our children and following generations will be the big losers.

WATERLOO REGION ARGUE OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTHS REGARDING THE WILMOT CENTRE WELLFIELD

 

Among numerous reference sources I've been reading is the RMOW (Regional Municipality of Waterloo) April 8, 2026 staff report to councillors titled "Wilmot Centre Aquifer Assessment". Hoo boy but it is quite the document.  The Region are arguing both in this report and at the Regional Council level that all is fine at the Wilmot Centre Wellfield.

Here's the rub. They are also advising that between past lower rainfall AND higher pumping rates the aquifer level has dropped three to four metres in elevation. Now perhaps on a municipal wellfield level that is not an unusual situation. Perhaps it is. Regardless if you have a private drilled well that extends 32 metres below ground surface for example and the aquifer level drops from 29.5 mbgs  (metres below ground surface) to 32.5 mbgs then guess what? You're sucking air instead of water. Prior to the aquifer's lowered elevation you had 2.5 metres or over eight feet of water level above your wellscreen (intake). 

Other issues that do not add credibility to the Region's position include their admission that certain groundwater elevation triggers have been crossed at the Wilmot Centre Wellfield already just as they have been crossed at the Mannheim West Wellfield. Then however the Region states "Crossing the trigger levels at Wilmot Centre does not mean that adverse impacts are anticipated at nearby private wells in the natural environment. This is a fundamental difference from trigger levels established under the Mannheim Well Field PTTW." (i.e. Permit To Take Water) .

Other problems with the Region's staff report include Table 1 on page 4 & 5. This Table purports to show pumping levels at three wellfields in Wilmot namely the Erb St. Wellfield, the Mannheim West Wellfield and the Wilmot Centre Wellfield. Clearly there has been increased pumping at the Wilmot Centre Wellfield from 2019/20 until 2025 compared to 1980. Also on page 8 the Region confirm that some of this increased pumping was to make up for decreased water pumping and problems at FOUR Kitchener Wellfields namely Strange St., Parkway, William St., and Greenbrook. Finally I find it peculiar that Table 1 does not include the Mannheim East Wellfield immediately beside but just over the Wilmot boundary from the Mannheim West Wellfield. Perhaps it is the incredible number of wells and total amounts of nearby pumping that is causing likely well interference issues with private wells.

Add to this in the report the Region's immodest attitude is characterized by their self admitted incredible, world class, superior professional and astute management of everything wet in Waterloo Region and you begin to suspect that they've been taking lessons from trash talking MMA fighters prior to losing a major fight (Conor McGregor anybody?). Somewhat like Donald Trump it's almost as if the Region are looking over their shoulder cringing at the expected upcoming disaster but bragging to give themselves courage, or as my father used to say they are whistling by the graveyard to hide their fear.

TOO MANY "GENTLEMENS'" AGREEMENTS BETWEEN POLLUTERS, POLITICIANS & THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

 

I mean one could call it exactly what it is which is corruption. That word however is too coarse for our refined, polished and smooth operators. They are O.K. however with "unwashed masses", lower classes, ne'er do wells,  homeless etc. for all those beneath their high station in life. Supposedly making a buck is a social good according to many. Yes "trickle down" economics is popular especially among the well to do. The theory is that all economic activity from building submarines to widgets helps everybody. The rising tide lifts all boats theory. Naysayers of course suggest that what is "trickling down" may not be of much quality or good. Some even suggest that it is merely the rich peeing on the poor and giving them their refuse, their wastes etc. One example might be the ABTC or A Better Tent City. Geez I hope I've got the right name and location here but my understanding is that the ABTC is situated almost beside the Erb St. Landfill. Lucky them. Not only do they get most likely a plumbing hookup to the nearest water system/wellfield which is the Erb St. Wellfield and it's direct hydrogeologic connection to the contamination plume beneath the dump BUT they also get, depending on the prevailing winds, to enjoy the odours of everybody else's garbage. 

Just try calling the police for illegal dumping on private property albeit with a shared aquifer beneath it. Just try to get a Crown Prosecutor to lay criminal charges for off-site toxic chemical odours leaving an industrial site. There are direct connections between TCE, vinyl chloride, NDMA, benzene and many other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) routinely leaving industrial sites and serious to fatal diseases. Thousands of people die every year just in Ontario from air pollution. Where are the manslaughter or murder charges especially for repeat offenders?

It is our politicians who write our laws including the exceptions and loopholes. How many loopholes do you see for owners of semi detached homes, townhouses or lower cost housing who accidentally spill a couple of gallons of gasoline ?  However if you are a corporation or business person the rules suddenly change and you are given opportunity after opportunity to either mend your ways or at least hide them better. How often do you see serious polluters sent to jail? Severin Argenton (Varnicolor Chemical) in Elmira was one of the extraordinarily few. He was sentenced to eight months in jail after the Ontario Ministry of Environment refused to abide by their own initial Control Order and investigate deeper soils and aquifers on his property. Hence it was twenty-five years AFTER he served his eight month sentence (or part of it) and had passed on before Uniroyal/Lanxess and the Ontario MECP admitted publicly that he had indeed contaminated the Elmira Municipal drinking water aquifers with half a dozen chlorinated solvents. That folks is justice when polluters, politicians and justice system members (eg. Robert Reilly) all socialize together at Westmount Golf Club and other non-public venues.

THE LAKE ERIE PIPELINE IS A GIVEN WHICH EXPLAINS BENIGN NEGLECT TO OUTRIGHT GROSS NEGLIGENCE IN PROTECTING OUR GROUNDWATER

 

The last two Blog postings I have been listing some contaminated wellfields in Waterloo Region as well as some of the dirty polluters who did the deeds as well as the toxic chemicals that they either intentionally or gratuitously deposited into the soils and into our publicly owned aquifers. Today I'm filling in some missed data as well as giving my overall impressions as indicated in the title above. 

Firstly B.F.Goodrich (Epton) and Kaufman Rubber should be on the known polluter's list versus merely suspected as I posted last Friday.  Greb Shoe on Hayward Ave. (Kit.) also needs to be listed here. Regarding contaminated wellfields we also have additions as I've been rereading somewhat. The Lancaster Wellfield located near Lancaster and Guelph St. has been disconnected for many years. The source of the problem was the former Panill Veneer Co. near Louisa and St. Leger St. in Kitchener. The real culprit however was a well known local illuminary who owned the original grossly contaminated property known as the Breithaupt Tannery.

Various landfills causing off-site contamination include the Caroline St. location of a former landfill as well as the Erb St. Landfill which is located far too close to the Erb St. Wellfield. Despite cute drawings pretending that the Erb. St wells do NOT pull contaminated water from the known contaminant plume below and off-site of the landfill; that seems highly improbable. Of course the Ottawa St. Landfill has enhanced the Greenbrook Wellfield as most likely has the larger landfills in Cambridge. In Elmira we have the Bolender Landfill leaking into the Canagagigue Creek with Uniroyal stuff, the First St. Landfill leaking more into the "Gig" a little further downstream and the M1 and M2 Landfills. The second is on the Uniroyal/Lanxess property and prior to 1992 helped enrich Elmira's drinking water groundwater. Varnicolor Chemical in Elmira also deposited toxics at various Kitchener, Waterloo and Woolwich Landfills.

Back to "problematic " we have the Waterloo North Wellfield roughly near the Laurel Ck. Conservation Area with one " disconnected "well which is then described as a "flowing well". This could mean that it is a Purge or Interceptor well being used to catch the front of a sub surface contaminant plume and pump it to waste such as into a ditch or surface water body. The very contaminated William St. Wellfield (TCE) has one purge well pumping as well as one or two others removed from service. The Erb St. Wellfield has well 6A described as "problematic" and not pumping as well as W6B being on "standby". Gee all these pumping wells with provincial PTTW (Permits To Take Water) that either aren't pumping at all or are vastly under pumping what the province has permitted them. You'd almost think that we had excess water available here. The Foxborough Green Wellfield has one well "disconnected" and the New Dundee Wellfield has one well "abandoned".  All the Pompeii & Forwell Wells have been "disconnected" for decades and the Woolner river wells just downstream have been under pumping and or closed off and on. The Strasburg Wellfield has one well that is "disconnected". Likely well E7 at the south end of Elmira will continue as a Purge well in order to protect the never been used for production well yet E10 further south at Scotch Line Rd. 

It isn't just the provincial and regional refusal and failure to stop gross groundwater pollution from 1955 until 2000 that upsets me. It's the blatant lying and denial since to seriously clean up at least the worst of the contamination affecting groundwater, wildlife and human life. Nothing but excuses, drivel and puffery bragging about how technically advanced they are while poisoning everybody. For years I thought that it was misplaced loyalty to both important business people and pro business ideology but now I think that it is worse. It is a long held pie in the sky belief that Lake Erie water will allow permanent growth and expansion in order to keep the money flowing to our industrial and business class also forever. We are on a horrific death spiral and we are being led by greedy idiots.

  

SOME OF THE CHEMICAL ENHANCEMENTS IN OUR WATERLOO REGION GROUNDWATER

TCE is very popular.  Trichloroethylene  can be fatal as a number of persons in the Bishop St. community of Cambridge have learned the hard way. Usually however it leads to years of sickness and ill health first. Dinoseb is some sort of pesticide that we were advised caused the contamination in the northern part of Cambridge. Plasticizers and phthalates have been found in the Grand River and the groundwater at the south end of Cambridge. TCE is also in the same groundwater right beside the Grand River. 1,1,2 Trichloroethane has been found in the groundwater between Bishop St. and the Grand River also throughout the Bishop St. community.

Waterloo has been blessed with TCE in their groundwater and the major wellfield near the downtown. Obviously with coal tar constituents nearby it's difficult to believe that some of them (PAHs?) haven't also been dissolved and mobilized into the wellfield. The same goes for the coal tar found on Gaukel St. in Kitchener by the very old post office. 

Speaking of Kitchener we have TCE in a number of wellfields. It is combined with some other VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that freshened the air inside a former local tire factory. Many workers paid the price for working there. More exotics include P.C.B.s which are better known as floaters on the water table i.e. LNAPLS or light non aqueous phase liquids. Nevertheless they have a small solubility in order to add spice to the groundwater's flavour. Chlorinated solvents as well as oil and gas PHCs (petroleum hydrocarbons) also add to the groundwater mixture between Fountain St. and the Grand River near Breslau.

Elmira literally has dozens to hundreds of chemicals in their groundwater although our authorities have only focused on NDMA, chlorobenzene and ammonia. Lots more PHCs in Elmira as well as Heidelberg. Probably low levels of DDT and Dioxins are also dissolved in the groundwater here.

This is but a sprinkling of the variety available in our groundwater. Let's not forget Glyphosate (Round Up), salt and Nitrates. Lots for everybody  

IS IT RUDE TO SUGGEST PUBLIC HANGINGS IN OCTOBER INSTEAD OF AN ELECTION?

 

Well at least Canada is civilized enough (so far) to cause abhorrence and shock at the title above. That said I just bet that by the end of this post there may just be a few who think it's not that bad of an idea. A little radical and a lot permanent, regardless.

Yesterday's post painted the broad strokes. We have way too much salt, nitrates, pesticides and solvents in our groundwater.  Yes it is fair to suggest that the Region of Waterloo are trying to educate the public about the health threats from two of them namely salt and pesticides. Good but nitrates is at least a little verboten (forbidden) to lecture about because after all it's our farmers who feed us and the world. Politically a no-no. Nitrates are very bad for our older citizens especially those with heart problems. Have we forgotten cryptosporidium I wonder. That's a virus I believe found in cattle crap (dung).  It actually killed several people here in Waterloo Region in the early 1990s. Cattle doing their business in and along rivers and creeks introduced it into the water supply eventually through the Grand River at Mannheim which golly gosh our authorities hadn't considered that special treatment was needed.

The really big one however is solvents which also could include some chemicals also used in pesticides although the Region's focus on pesticides has been primarily garden and lawn overuse. Back to solvents. The following wellfields have measurable, concerning levels of toxic chemicals from industry in them. By the way if you think going after agriculture/farmers is a political no-no; Waterloo Region would prefer to cut off your heads rather than point the SHAME finger at our local industrialists and major polluters. Here goes:    Greenbrook, Parkway, William St., Strange St., Pompeii, Erb St., Middleton, Elmira still!, plus one or two more in Cambridge which have temporarily slipped my mind.  

The business/corporate names include  Ciba-Geigy, Northstar Aerospace, Cnd. General Tower, Canbar, Sunar, possibly the former Seagram's, likely the former Uniroyal Tire on Strange St. (Kit.), Kaufman, Budd Automotive, Safety-Kleen (Breslube), Uniroyal Chemical/Lanxess Canada (Elmira), Strauss Fuels (Elmira), former Strauss service station (Heidelberg),  Kitchener Gas Works (Gaukel St.), Varnicolor Chemical (Elmira), Regina St. Waterloo (coal tar).

Now I've reviewed this list in my memory banks and I'm sure that I've missed several others and as well  I'm wondering now about Kaufman Rubber. Let me transfer Kaufman Rubber at least for now onto the suspected list only, along with B.F. Goodrich formerly at the corner of King and Victoria St. in Kitchener.    

Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the Grand River. Our municipal, regional and provincial politicians have all been grossly negligent in protecting our groundwater mostly originating from the Waterloo Moraine on the west side and a little north of the tri-cities and actually partially extending under them. In reference to yesterday's Blog post let me just say that nitrates are very bad in Wilmot Township presumably due to commercial fertilizers used to grow crops. The other problems in Wilmot include the Region's admitted over pumping in the Mannheim West Wellfield (Wilmot) AND the hydrogeological connection between the Erb St. wells (Wilmot) and the Erb St. Landfill.    

Speaking of landfills how smart do you have to be to locate a landfill anywhere near a drinking water Wellfield? The Region have done it at least twice maybe more if you look carefully in Cambridge.  The second one is the Ottawa St. landfill in Kitchener which has donated 1,4 Dioxane to the Greenbrook Wellfield causing it to be shut down in 2005.  Engineering solutions translate into more and more expensive treatment of our groundwater. By the way reading the Rules & Regs for all of these landfills means very little. Back in the day I exposed mostly Varnicolor Chemical dumping 45 gallon drums of liquid solvents, illegally, into the Ottawa St. Landfill. That did make the K-W Record at the time.

Our groundwater isn't what it used to be and some of the perpetrators are listed here.