Strada Aggregates has…

Strada Aggregates has applied for an amendment to Permit to Take Water No. 3210-AKRL9C for aggregate washing purposes (ERO #025-1082, Ministry reference number 4235-DL5A93) to take 5,000,000 litres of water per day, 365 days a year, for 10 years at its site at 437159 Line 4, Melancthon. By their own application, they acknowledge that this is a Category 3 permit where water takings are anticipated to have the highest potential of causing UNACCEPTABLE environmental impact or interference.

I am strongly opposed to issuing this permit and to a related permit application (ERO 025-1005) for a blast quarry at the same site.

The quarry site is located in the midst of a vibrant, healthy, productive farming community that is completely dependent on continuing adequate water supplies to maintain its current usages. The site is located above a currently pristine aquifer which supports not only the wells and water sources for local residents an communities but also the headwaters of the rivers that support significant water systems of Southern Ontario, including the GTA.

The communities surrounding this quarry and water taking site are already experiencing rapid population growth and housing intensification which is already placing stress on our water supply. In addition, Ontario and much of Canada have been suffering from drought due to climate change. There are strong indications from the scientific community that such variation from our normal water conditions is likely to continue. To place another extraordinary burden on existing water supplies by permitting acknowledged highly risky amounts of water taking to benefit one operator is neither reasonable nor acceptable!

This water is proposed to be used to clean the aggregate being produced from blasting. Obviously that means that the "dirt", likely including significant pollutants dangerous to the environment and human health, that will be flowing off with the extra water. That dirty water must be stored until if and when it can be cleaned. This is another unacceptable risk for an area growing food for humans and animals, for our natural environment, and for pollution of the water supply.

It would be one thing if these risks were being undertaken because the available supply of aggregate was so low as to be an emergency. However, the Attorney General of Ontario has determined that there is already permitting in place that provides 38 YEARS of predicted aggregate requirements for the province. Proceeding with the blast quarry application and this water taking application which is NOT needed for current requirements is irresponsible.

Allowing one business to deplete the water supply for corporate profit to the detriment of millions of Ontarians is unthinkable. Please reject this application.