As a resident and…

As a resident and stakeholder in North Glengarry, I am deeply concerned about the potential contamination of the local water table and nearby watercourses due to the absence of a proper hydrogeological and drainage impact assessment in this Environmental Compliance Approval application.

Key concerns:

1. Unaddressed Drainage Pathways
The application does not identify existing drain tiles or local drainage patterns, despite the site’s proximity to sensitive watercourses such as the Raisin River. Drain tiles can serve as direct conduits for contaminants—including electrolytes or firewater runoff—from the BESS facility into rivers and farmland.

2. No Hydrogeological Assessment
There is no evidence that Compass has submitted a hydrogeological study evaluating groundwater depth, soil permeability, or contaminant migration risks. This is essential in a rural area where residents depend on well water, and spills or firewater runoff could permanently pollute groundwater aquifers.

3. Lack of Firewater Containment Measures
Lithium-ion battery fires pose a severe threat to water quality. The absence of a Fire Safety and Firewater Containment Plan coordinated with the North Glengarry Fire Department raises major environmental and public safety concerns.

4. No Decommissioning Plan or Financial Bond
There is no commitment to a Decommissioning Plan or financial assurance to clean up hazardous materials when the site closes. Without this, the burden may fall on taxpayers.

Request:
I urge the Ministry to withhold approval until Compass provides:

A certified Hydrogeological Assessment

A detailed Drainage and Watercourse Impact Study

A complete Fire Safety and Firewater Containment Plan

A robust Decommissioning Plan with financial security

Water is our most vital resource. Please protect our rural wells, farms, rivers, and aquifers with a proper, science-based risk assessment process before this project proceeds.

Sincerely,
North Glengarry Resident and Tax Payer