LAST OF THE CITY OF WATERLOO DRINKING WATER REPORTS

Well W10 is located in the North-West corner of Waterloo not too far from the GRCA Laurel Conservation Area. Bacteria (E.Coli & Total Coliform) do not appear to be a problem at all in the raw water from this well unlike say the Middleton Wellfield in Cambridge or the former river wells in West Montrose. Turbidity (murkiness) is low except for two events of very short duration. Chlorine levels have a high reading of 2.98 mg/l which is definitely on the high side which is odd considering the chlorine does not seem to be needed at high levels with the very low bacteria results. Well W10 was off-line for four weeks in 2020 with no explanation whatsoever such as repairing or replacing equipment. .................................................................................................... Sodium, nitrites and nitrates concentrations are relatively low as are solvents and herbicides. Unfortunately similar to other wells, the Method Detection Limits (MDL) are far too high for NINE chemicals (eg. Diquat, Picloram, Malathion, Pentachlorophenol, 2,4 Dichlorophenol Etc.). Glyphosate (Roundup) is also at the ridiculous MDL of 25 parts per billion (ppb, ug/l). Chloroamines were also found to exceed half the standard of the Ontario Drinking Water Standards (ODWS). Similar to the high reading mentioned for chlorine, I find this a little odd and an explanation would be appreciated from the Region in the report. ........................................................................................................................ Again there are no results given in this report for other by-products of disinfection such as Haloacetic Acids (HAA) or Trihalomethanes (THM). If the purpose of these reports is to mollify, soothe or reassure water consumers and citizens then they are being sucessful. Unfortunately a much clearer and more accurate picture should be and could be provided if the Region felt so inclined. The province of course did what politicians do which is to solicit votes and approval from citizens based as much on appearances of good water as on giving the full and complete picture.