To the Ministry of the…

To the Ministry of the Environment,

I am writing as a resident of Windsor, Ontario—roughly an hour and a half from Dresden—because I feel deeply compelled to speak out about the proposed facility. While I do not live in Dresden, I have family roots in rural Ontario and firsthand experience with the devastating consequences of water well contamination. That experience has stayed with me for years, and I cannot stay silent when I see similar risks being proposed so close to another community.

The proposed site’s proximity to a known aquifer and to private residential wells is extremely alarming. Once an aquifer is contaminated—whether by chemicals, industrial runoff, or accidental spills—the damage is often permanent. In my own family’s case, contamination led to loss of safe drinking water, thousands of dollars in unexpected costs, and years of uncertainty. The emotional and financial strain was immense. No community should be put in that position.

The location of this facility just 800 feet from homes is, frankly, irresponsible. It flies in the face of what we know about how pollutants move through soil and groundwater. Even small leaks or routine discharges can migrate and affect nearby wells. Given the reliance on groundwater in Dresden and surrounding areas, this poses a very real threat to the health, safety, and sustainability of the entire region.

It’s also concerning that this facility would be sited so close to natural gas infrastructure, increasing the potential for serious accidents, compounded environmental risk, and emergency response complications.

As someone who has seen the long-term impacts of poor planning and weak environmental oversight, I respectfully urge the Ministry to take a precautionary approach. A full, independent environmental and hydrogeological assessment must be required, and public input should be prioritized at every step. Clean water is not negotiable.

This is not just a local issue—it’s a matter of protecting Ontario’s environment and public health for all of us, now and for generations to come.