GRCA AND DROUGHT CONDITIONS

Both our local newspapers are carrying stories regarding the drought this summer. This is ironic as at the moment we are into our second day of steady (but light) rain. I'm hoping that despite the weeks and months of no precipitation that this is a major turnaround point.

The Elmira Independent have this story "GRCA reduces water flows" and the Woolwich Observer (pg.3) carry this one "As drought conditions persist, GRCA asks for water restrictions". The Independent story advises us again that water in the Grand River and its' tributaries is needed for both drinking water and SEWAGE DILUTION. Isn't that charming? Isn't that a really charming combination? If you are concerned about this, rest easy, you aren't paranoid nor an alarmist. Only in the political landscape of Wonderland can politicians continue to increase yearly the sewage (treated mostly) dumped into our rivers while assurring us that tap water is just dandy.

The Observer inform us that water managers and others at the GRCA are continually monitoring the water levels as well as the volumes they are releasing from dams on the Canagagigue Creek, Conestoga River and the Grand River. The whole idea is to keep enough water in the Grand to permit extraction and treatment for drinking as well as for diluting the effluent leaving sewage treatment plants in St. Jacobs, Fergus, Elmira, Waterloo, Kitchener and cities and towns further south. Rain and normal precipitation levels hide a multitude of sins. When conditions deteriorate, such as with the effects of global warming, namely greater heat and less rain and snow locally; then we immediately can see how unsustainable our current growth really is. The problem is that big money can be made with unsustainable increases in our population. Our governments are protecting this moneymaking for the few at the expense of the rest of us.