I believe that…

I believe that municipalities should be able to veto for new or increasing water-takings in their area. They need to be able to plan for future growth and the effects of climate change on the source water in their area. Water should not be sold to large commercial businesses.
The needs of citizens and future citizens should have top priority. Access to clean water should be a right for all citizens in this country. The water rights of individuals and the protection of the environment, in particular the renewable sources of water within the watershed, should take precedence over any other water taking. Local agriculture should come next and finally, small businesses.
Our watershed in Wellington County needs to be monitored closely for quality and renewable quantities of water over the entire area. Results of this monitoring should be made public and, over time, should influence future growth and town planning. No smart growth can happen without access to clean water.
Thank you for considering these comments.