VOLUMES OF OVERFLOWING WASTEWATERS FROM EAST SIDE PITS CONFIRMED BY MOE, CRA, GRCA

My review of the overland flow of wastewaters from the east side pits (RPE 1-5) continues. Two reports I am examing are "A History of Uniroyal Waste Management At Elmira" and the Environmental Audit. Phase I Report, August 1991. The first report was authored in 1985 by Wayne Jackman and Al Ralston of the Ministry of Environment (MOE) along with Tony Smith of the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). The second (Environmental Audit) was produced by Conestoga Rovers & Associates on behalf of Uniroyal Chemical and as mandated by the Ontario MOE. .......................................................................................... Quoting from page 11 of the first report "There was in all likelehood surface drainage to the stream from the east side waste ponds as well as groundwater seepage to the stream from both east and west ponds." This quote is very important as it indicates the volumes of overflowing wastewaters leaving the east side ponds several hundred metres away from the Canagagigue Creek. Lesser volumes would have totally soaked into the ground over that significant distance and not gravity flowed both onto the Stroh and Martin farms as well as into the creek. .................................................................................................. The Environmental Audit delivers some fascinating information on pages 43 to 44 namely: "Seepage and overflow from the pits RPE1 to RPE5 was directed by drainage ditches into gravel pits located in the southeast portion of the Site. This practice began in the early 1940s until approximately 1970, when the east side ponds were closed and/or lined. Liquids would pond in the gravel pits and eventually seep down into the subsurface soils. Liquid waste water was continually standing in the gravel pits until the east side pits were closed. When seepage from these pits subsided in the early 1970s, the gravel pits dried up. The area of the standing water in GP-1 and GP-2 was approximately .23 and .36 hectares, respectively." Wow! Conestoga Rovers (CRA) are claiming that the volumes of wastewaters overflowing from the east side pits were so significant that wastewater "...was continually standing in the gravel pits...". That is an astounding statement in that it applies to any lower ground surface elevation areas along the paths of these overflowing wastewaters such as the area to the immediate east of the Stroh Drain, Ditch & Berm (SDDB). Also of great interest is the part of the quote which stated "Liquids would pond in the gravel pits and eventually seep down into the subsurface soils." Of course they would whether in GP-1 and GP-2 or wherever else they had ponded such as the low elevation area, basically a very large bowl, (345 -345.5 metres above sea level) to the immediate east of the SDDB. ..................................................................................................................... Stories have changed somewhat over the decades not based upon better evidence or scientific understanding but based upon the self-serving wishes of the polluter and the MOE not to have to spend more money on much needed cleanup.