For the purpose of washing…

For the purpose of washing aggregate, Sarjeant Company Ltd. is requesting a new permit to take water from one well in the Township of Oro-Medonte for a period of 10 years.

This water-taking request, categorized as a Category 3 permit, is “anticipated to have the highest potential of causing unacceptable environmental impactor interference.”

Water is a precious resource. Contamination and disturbance of groundwater sources can be complex and costly. Protecting groundwater must be a top priority in Ontario.

Ontario could protect water resources by requiring this industry to install a system to collect, recycle and reuse aggregate washwater. The following link provides one example of a water recycling system for washing aggregate, “reducing the need for fresh water by 90%”

Since alternatives are available for washing aggregate, without disturbing precious water resources, this Category 3 water-taking permit should be denied.