DRINKING WATER SOURCE PROTECTION
This program came about due to the provincial Clean Water Act which was in direct response to the Walkerton tragedy in 2000. Waterloo Region and area's surface water flows south into lake Erie via the Nith, Conestoga, Speed and Grand Rivers. Both yesterday's K-W Record and today's had articles on this subject. Yesterday's was in regards to the Region (Eric Hogins) speaking at Cambridge Council and today's is titled "Report finds drinking water remains vulnerable".
Today's article in the Record while highly critical of efforts across Canada with some specific examples included, is actually complimentary of the overall efforts in Ontario. It does point out problems with pharmaceutical chemicals showing up in Ontario drinking water however and indeed there is a seperate article about a study showing higher rates of prostate cancer in men in jurisdictions where there is a high rate of oral contraceptive useage. The estrogen is ending up in both sewage plant discharges and eventually into drinking water supplies. The other problem as enunciated in yesterday's article is that these Source protection plans are looking at current and future land uses near municipal drinking wells. They are not addressing past toxic contamination already in the aquifers. Regarding the first problem (pharmaceuticals) yours truly has long complained about the hundreds of common chemicals that the Region of Waterloo for example do not test for in our water supplies. Regarding the second problem, here in Elmira is a perfect example. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and the past citizens' Public Advisory Committee have intentionally ignored and avoided dealing with other sources of toxic contamination in the Elmira Aquifers, other than Chemtura (Uniroyal). These other sources continue to contaminate and render useless the current pumping regieme which is ostensibly going to restore our local drinking water. The good news is that the new CPAC (Chemtura Public Advisory Committee) have publicly demanded examination of these "other sources" but the M.O.E. continue to deny and resist.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
FURTHER TO YESTERDAY’S POST RE: CPAC AGENDA
I’ve gone back a month to October 12/11 and looked at my posting here in the advocate titled “Lost In The Shuffle/Additions To The Upcoming CPAC Agenda”. Lo and behold those important items which needed to be discussed publicly at CPAC then either haven’t been at all or were put forward to the November 24/11 meeting. Following are suggested Agenda items for next Thursday evenings CPAC meeting. Overdue Agenda items are marked OVERDUE.
CPAC members are to receive a financial status Update to let them know where they stand in regards to CPAC’s budget.
David Marks request for a rationale from the M.O.E. regarding why they didn’t pursue other sources. OVERDUE
Update regarding the hiring of Gail Krantzberg.
Responsible Care Update.
Jeff Merriman (Chemtura) has promised a response to me regarding high NDMA & Chlorobenzene soil results at Yara (Nutrite).
Lot 91 & 62 Union St. excavations (Varnicolor). OVERDUE
DNAPL 100’ below ground by water tower & behind (west) Varnicolor. LONG OVERDUE
125 drum carcasses removed from M2 area this past summer. OVERDUE
Lab results from GP1 & 2 OVERDUE
Next spring’s excavations starting with GP1 & 2 followed by RPW 6 & 7
Less presentations from Chemtura such as Annual Work Plan, Plant Activities Summary, Five Year Assessments etc.. Hand out written reports days in advance of public meetings and CPAC members can ask you questions if they wish. These are fillers and a waste of time at public meetings.
Less from M.O.E. such as Monthly progress Report
IN A NUTSHELL, SIX VOTING CPAC MEMBERS SHOULD BE SETTING THE AGENDA AROUND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF PRIORITIES NOT CHEMTURA’S/ M.O.E. NOR THE TOWNSHIP”S .
I’ve gone back a month to October 12/11 and looked at my posting here in the advocate titled “Lost In The Shuffle/Additions To The Upcoming CPAC Agenda”. Lo and behold those important items which needed to be discussed publicly at CPAC then either haven’t been at all or were put forward to the November 24/11 meeting. Following are suggested Agenda items for next Thursday evenings CPAC meeting. Overdue Agenda items are marked OVERDUE.
CPAC members are to receive a financial status Update to let them know where they stand in regards to CPAC’s budget.
David Marks request for a rationale from the M.O.E. regarding why they didn’t pursue other sources. OVERDUE
Update regarding the hiring of Gail Krantzberg.
Responsible Care Update.
Jeff Merriman (Chemtura) has promised a response to me regarding high NDMA & Chlorobenzene soil results at Yara (Nutrite).
Lot 91 & 62 Union St. excavations (Varnicolor). OVERDUE
DNAPL 100’ below ground by water tower & behind (west) Varnicolor. LONG OVERDUE
125 drum carcasses removed from M2 area this past summer. OVERDUE
Lab results from GP1 & 2 OVERDUE
Next spring’s excavations starting with GP1 & 2 followed by RPW 6 & 7
Less presentations from Chemtura such as Annual Work Plan, Plant Activities Summary, Five Year Assessments etc.. Hand out written reports days in advance of public meetings and CPAC members can ask you questions if they wish. These are fillers and a waste of time at public meetings.
Less from M.O.E. such as Monthly progress Report
IN A NUTSHELL, SIX VOTING CPAC MEMBERS SHOULD BE SETTING THE AGENDA AROUND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF PRIORITIES NOT CHEMTURA’S/ M.O.E. NOR THE TOWNSHIP”S .
Monday, November 14, 2011
PROPOSED AGENDA FOR NEXT WEEK'S PUBLIC CPAC MEETING
First off the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee meeting is set for Thursday November 24/11 in the Woolwich Council Chambers, Elmira at 6 pm. This venue is where Chemtura Canada (Uniroyal) will do their best to put a positive spin on "improvements" in Elmira's contaminated groundwater. The problem is that twenty-two years after it was suddenly discovered to be grossly contaminated by multiple toxic chemicals, it is still so with no reasonable date for cleanup. Keep in mind that the proposed date for the supposed thirty year cleanup is 2028, nearly fourty years after the wells were shut down. This date allows Chemtura and their partner in deflection and distraction, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, another seventeen years of talking, wiggling, delaying and bafflegabbing Woolwich citizens.
Our new CPAC members have appropriately put Chemtura's and the M.O.E.'s feet to the fire over Source Removal. Do not be guilted by Chemtura's current chief spokesperson Garth Napier of the M.O.E. whining about being harassed. Why shouldn't the M.O.E. be harassed? When they do either of the following two things then and only then should they be treated with respect: 1) Enforce their own past decisions and orders regarding source removal 2) Tell the public the truth. If you can't or won't do 1) then stop lying to the public and explain yourself honestly.
In regards to the title above, Source Removal is THE major Agenda Item. This fall has been very mild and the Dioxins could easily have been removed from GP1 & 2 since the latest test results came back. Instead with the M.O.E.'s acquiesence Chemtura have done nothing again this year. When your neighbour's cat or dog craps in your sandbox do you put a hose into the bottom, allow rainfall on the top and then suck on the hose to remove the contamination? I think not! You physically remove the crap your inconsiderate neighbour has left you. On the other hand Chemtura and the Ontario M.O.E. are a pair of sucks promoting pumping of groundwater for decades versus source removal.
First off the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee meeting is set for Thursday November 24/11 in the Woolwich Council Chambers, Elmira at 6 pm. This venue is where Chemtura Canada (Uniroyal) will do their best to put a positive spin on "improvements" in Elmira's contaminated groundwater. The problem is that twenty-two years after it was suddenly discovered to be grossly contaminated by multiple toxic chemicals, it is still so with no reasonable date for cleanup. Keep in mind that the proposed date for the supposed thirty year cleanup is 2028, nearly fourty years after the wells were shut down. This date allows Chemtura and their partner in deflection and distraction, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, another seventeen years of talking, wiggling, delaying and bafflegabbing Woolwich citizens.
Our new CPAC members have appropriately put Chemtura's and the M.O.E.'s feet to the fire over Source Removal. Do not be guilted by Chemtura's current chief spokesperson Garth Napier of the M.O.E. whining about being harassed. Why shouldn't the M.O.E. be harassed? When they do either of the following two things then and only then should they be treated with respect: 1) Enforce their own past decisions and orders regarding source removal 2) Tell the public the truth. If you can't or won't do 1) then stop lying to the public and explain yourself honestly.
In regards to the title above, Source Removal is THE major Agenda Item. This fall has been very mild and the Dioxins could easily have been removed from GP1 & 2 since the latest test results came back. Instead with the M.O.E.'s acquiesence Chemtura have done nothing again this year. When your neighbour's cat or dog craps in your sandbox do you put a hose into the bottom, allow rainfall on the top and then suck on the hose to remove the contamination? I think not! You physically remove the crap your inconsiderate neighbour has left you. On the other hand Chemtura and the Ontario M.O.E. are a pair of sucks promoting pumping of groundwater for decades versus source removal.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
SUPERWEEDS AND OUR NEW ENVIRONMENT CRITIC
I mentioned here last week that Michael Harris our new M.P.P. is also the new Environment Critic for the Conservative Opposition in the provincial legislature. Last Thursday's Elmira Independent carried a photo and story in regards to his new duties and responsibilities.
Way back on October 29/11 the Woolwich Observer carried a story titled "Putting so-called superweeds in perspective". It was supposed to be reassuring but for me at least it was not. There now are about 200 weed species around the world which have developed resistance to various herbicides and the implications for food production are significant. In Canada there have been 51 unique cases of herbicide resistance. This article does go on to state that farmers can manage this emerging issue with a number of strategys including rotating of crops within fields as well as changing herbicides being used from time to time. I am not a farmer but it seems to me that at least the good news is that there is recognition of a problem. That is always the first step towards solving it.
I mentioned here last week that Michael Harris our new M.P.P. is also the new Environment Critic for the Conservative Opposition in the provincial legislature. Last Thursday's Elmira Independent carried a photo and story in regards to his new duties and responsibilities.
Way back on October 29/11 the Woolwich Observer carried a story titled "Putting so-called superweeds in perspective". It was supposed to be reassuring but for me at least it was not. There now are about 200 weed species around the world which have developed resistance to various herbicides and the implications for food production are significant. In Canada there have been 51 unique cases of herbicide resistance. This article does go on to state that farmers can manage this emerging issue with a number of strategys including rotating of crops within fields as well as changing herbicides being used from time to time. I am not a farmer but it seems to me that at least the good news is that there is recognition of a problem. That is always the first step towards solving it.
Friday, November 11, 2011
JIGS HOLLOW/ KUNTZ PIT STILL IN THE NEWS
The front page of today's Woolwich Observer carrys the following story "Residents continue to assail Jigs Hollow pit proposal". This is an excellent read and should make Woolwich residents proud that you have some citizens who are willing to stick their necks out for everybody's good. On page 10, Editor Steve Kannon has his Editorial titled "Opponents target gravel on a variety of fronts". Some of his comments are both blunt and powerful and my hat is off to him for these following statements: "the province often sides with developers over the best interests of the people", "...the Ontario Municipal Board, which has a track record of ignoring local decisions in favour of developers.", and finally "...the Aggregate Resources Act is practically a cudgel, and the Ministry of Natural Resources seen as a defender of operators, not Ontarians.".
The front page of today's Woolwich Observer carrys the following story "Residents continue to assail Jigs Hollow pit proposal". This is an excellent read and should make Woolwich residents proud that you have some citizens who are willing to stick their necks out for everybody's good. On page 10, Editor Steve Kannon has his Editorial titled "Opponents target gravel on a variety of fronts". Some of his comments are both blunt and powerful and my hat is off to him for these following statements: "the province often sides with developers over the best interests of the people", "...the Ontario Municipal Board, which has a track record of ignoring local decisions in favour of developers.", and finally "...the Aggregate Resources Act is practically a cudgel, and the Ministry of Natural Resources seen as a defender of operators, not Ontarians.".
REMEMBRANCE DAY & CORPORATISM
O.K. so what does the above title have to do with the Environment? Certainly on the surface, absolutely nothing. However it's Remembrance Day and Steve Kannon, the Editor of the Woolwich Observer has linked the two above items in an excellent Opinion piece in today's Woolwich Observer (ie. dated Sat. Nov. 12/11). The title is "Freedom of the markets is not what they gave their lives for". Steve's Opinion piece (pg. 12) has a quote from Benito Mussolini namely: "Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism, as it is the merger of corporate and government power.".
O.K. so what does the above title have to do with the Environment? Certainly on the surface, absolutely nothing. However it's Remembrance Day and Steve Kannon, the Editor of the Woolwich Observer has linked the two above items in an excellent Opinion piece in today's Woolwich Observer (ie. dated Sat. Nov. 12/11). The title is "Freedom of the markets is not what they gave their lives for". Steve's Opinion piece (pg. 12) has a quote from Benito Mussolini namely: "Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism, as it is the merger of corporate and government power.".
Thursday, November 10, 2011
THEY ARE STILL DIGGING AT THE BECKER'S SITE IN DOWNTOWN ELMIRA
So there I was this morning looking down into a new very large and very deep hole beside the former one where the old fuel tanks were. This one easily had to be twelve to fifteen feet deep and as back on October 17/11 I had reported that the remediation was complete, I was second guessing myself. Turns out all is well. I chatted with an on-site worker and was advised that the new hole was simply where they were going to be burying the new tanks. I also received an informative lecture regarding the latest technology being used for service stations. Besides fibreglass components versus steel (which rusts) there are also double walled hoses and fuel lines which have sensors to alert if the inner hose develops a leak. Also there soon will be automatic controls shutting down service stations when a leak is alerted until it is completely repaired. Clearly the environmental damage done by gas stations over the last sixty or seventy years has been extensive and the cleanup costs prohibitive. Hence the ounce of prevention with new stations should avoid the pound of damage and 1/2 pound of cleanup costs in the future.
So there I was this morning looking down into a new very large and very deep hole beside the former one where the old fuel tanks were. This one easily had to be twelve to fifteen feet deep and as back on October 17/11 I had reported that the remediation was complete, I was second guessing myself. Turns out all is well. I chatted with an on-site worker and was advised that the new hole was simply where they were going to be burying the new tanks. I also received an informative lecture regarding the latest technology being used for service stations. Besides fibreglass components versus steel (which rusts) there are also double walled hoses and fuel lines which have sensors to alert if the inner hose develops a leak. Also there soon will be automatic controls shutting down service stations when a leak is alerted until it is completely repaired. Clearly the environmental damage done by gas stations over the last sixty or seventy years has been extensive and the cleanup costs prohibitive. Hence the ounce of prevention with new stations should avoid the pound of damage and 1/2 pound of cleanup costs in the future.
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