A WATERPISTOL IN A THUNDERSTORM

The above title is as close as I can recall to a quote from Stan Berger a Ministry of the Environment lawyer back in the early 90's. His metaphor was describing in his opinion, the contaminant contribution of Varnicolor Chemical to the Elmira Aquifers. Stan was neither a hydrogeologist nor was he particularily well informed in groundwater matters. That being said, really no one was very well informed in regards to the hydrogeological conditions below Varnicolor Chemical. All we had were hints and glimpses and for most of us this was our introduction to contaminated sites. No wonder the M.O.E. felt that they could misrepresent, deceive and obfuscate and get away with it.

Uniroyal/Chemtura have never come clean to the public. Neither has the Ontario M.O.E.. Twenty plus years ago it was suggested to us that the Bedrock Aquifer was uncomtaminated. Eventually we were told that fast moving NDMA was in it and then finally it was admitted that Ammonia had entered that aquifer. Only 2 1/2 weeks ago a consultant for Conestoga Rovers suggested that chlorobenzene had not been found in the Bedrock Aquifer. I corrected him and gave him the reference from the 2011 Annual Monitoring Report. Just this morning while looking over a nineteen year old report I found numerous other man made chemicals in the Bedrock Aquifer in Elmira. My confidence of ever, much less 2028, cleaning up the Elmira Aquifers is waning.

I believe that the powers to be, in their myriad and possibly illegal private meetings; decided that the Elmira Aquifers were toast. They did this prematurely and without adequate information and or adequate oversight or peer reviews. They most certainly did this out of the public's view and then they colluded to sell a more acceptable story to the public. These premature and immoral decisions may well have permanently sealed the fate of this community ever again being able to drink from our own underground water supply. The reason is this. Some of Uniroyal's and Varnicolor Chemical's DNAPL chemicals were long gone through the overburden aquifers and down to the Bedrock. Others were not and this would include Chlorobenzene commonly found throughout Chemtura and Elmira. These decisions weren't just made by the M.O.E. and Uniroyal; they included our municipal and regional governments.

The M.O.E. have allowed Chemtura and their consultants to lead the public and the public advisory committees on a merry chase. The M.O.E. have colluded and covered up the truth in order to save themselves from their past errors (pre-1989) as well as their decisions since then. The cleanups at both Varnicolor and Uniroyal/Chemtura have been far too little, too late. They had gotten away with them by deceiving the public and the public advisory committees (UPAC/CPAC) for over twenty years.

The Varnicolor site was horrific and the M.O.E. had to be deaf, blind and stupid not to have known this prior to 1989. The Uniroyal site; when one looks at the groundwater concentrations plus the sheer numbers of toxic chemicals, may well be without peer. The numbers of DNAPL chemicals on both sites are shocking and serve to reduce their effective solubility in groundwater. M.O.E./Chemtura DNAPL "studies & investigations" are less than pathetic and have no credibility. They cheerfully misinterpret their own data as well as scientifically accepted principles at will.

There is only one thing left to do. Woolwich Township appear to be well along the road of transparency and honesty. The Region of Waterloo, recently appear to be testing those same waters with their toes. It is time for the Ontario government and the M.O.E. to finally come clean. Tell us the truth. Be honest! You will sleep better and who knows maybe you can usher in a whole new era of government honesty.