WOOLWICH COUNCIL STEPS UP FOR WEST MONTROSE

Yes it took thirteen months and two different Councils but nevertheless this Council has publicly and loudly stepped up and advised both the Region of Waterloo and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, that they can and should do better. Today's Woolwich Observer carrys this article titled "Drinking water standards, reporting clarity, of concern to Woolwich Council".

Firstly a wider range of pollutants needs to be tested for such as NDMA, haloacetic acids, cyanogen chloride, di & tri chloramines, giardia, cryptosporidium, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes. Secondly all Ontario Drinking Water Standards should be included so readers can quickly tell how serious a detection may or may not be. Thirdly the extensive and confusing use of undefined acronyms and shortforms needs to end. In other words include the full term plus explanation for any acronyms used.

The push for these changes came from longtime issues with the raw water in West Montrose. Their raw water has the highest counts of coliforms and E.Coli in Waterloo Region. The extensive use of chlorine and chloramines has produced significant health related issues with products of disinfection. The Region have been bringing in tankers of water from other sources in Waterloo Region to both increase quantity and to dilute the West Montrose treated water and its' accompanying problems. These volumes need to be seriously looked at and understood by the Township in order to know how relevant the Region's Annual Report is because it deals with the four wells and the treatment system and only indirectly if at all with the incoming imported water.