Priorities: The Source Water…

Priorities: The Source Water Protection committees point out the stress on aquifers if all permits to take water pump at their daily maximums. A University of Victoria Professor who was part of an international study points out that aquifers recharge at 6 per cent every 50 years. We cannot overtax our groundwater. Permits need to reflect actual need for water and avoid uses that take the water out of the watersheds permanently or use it foolishly.
Population growth cannot be allocated to stressed areas. The relevant Ministries need to confer closely on Growth Plans. Whole watersheds need to be considered for both growth and permits to take water.
Data: This must be accessible as well as available. Municipal water managers do not have the time or expertise to make decisions about permits to take water. They must have Water Supply Master Plans completed and, if necessary, Tier 3 reports as well. As water is not owned buy rather a public trust, data must be readily available to all decision makers. In some cases an Environmental Assessment may be needed as well.
Municipal voice: Social license and community needs are important and need to be a mandatory part of an application that effects municipalities. Competition for water will only increase with growing populations, increasing pollution and misuse of water. All levels of government must cooperate and have a voice in the process. Any opening for undue influence on municipalities or Directors must be removed. We must look to the future generations, take a proactive stance, and have clear policies and regulations that protect water and manage water users. The Grand River watershed is vulnerable to drought, over use, ecological threats, commercial water bottlers, aggregate use, and invasive species. The competition for water between a municipality and a commercial water bottler must not happen or be allowed to happen in future as in Centre Wellington.
Thank you for a much improved set of policies. Make sure they are clear and firm. We must not have responsibility downloaded to municipalities, or consent downloaded to applicants. This is true for Indigenous consent as well. Infrastructure must be updated and made efficient to avoid the regrettable position of so many municipalities of our southern neighbour. This is a profound responsibility. We need to get this right!