The Morwick G360 Institute…

ERO number

019-3532

Comment ID

57794

Commenting on behalf of

Individual

Comment status

Comment approved More about comment statuses

Comment

The Morwick G360 Institute at the University of Guelph would like to provide a letter in support of Triton Water Canada Holdings, Inc. (formerly Nestlé Waters Canada) permits to take water.

The Morwick G360 Institute is a part of the University of Guelph that specializes in groundwater research. We have been actively pursuing research in the Guelph area and surrounding townships since 2003 with a focus on understanding flow systems and the properties of the aquifers and aquitards in the area. These studies and collaborating with different private and public parties interested in groundwater resources have allowed us to stay up-to-date on many activities in the area. We feel that decisions surrounding water management should be data-driven and the collection of high quality groundwater data is fundamental in this process. With regard to the two specific permits of Triton Water Canada Holdings, Inc. we feel that:

- Triton Water Canada Holdings, Inc. has taken voluntary efforts to monitor the subsurface in a high resolution depth-discrete manner, beyond standard practice, to examine system responses both underground and at the earth’s surface;

- Triton Water Canada Holdings, Inc. has demonstrated transparency in sharing data through the public dissemination of annual reports;

- Triton Water Canada Holdings, Inc. has established an effective multi-faceted groundwater monitoring program that includes the local ecosystem and surface water.

- Triton Water Canada Holdings, Inc. has attempted to minimize cross-connection between hydrogeologic units by employing relatively short screen pumping intervals;

- The regulations around permits to take water should be based on scientific understanding and should be applied universally and consistently across all permitted parties;

- The permits to take water are based on the previous permits, effective monitoring data supporting no adverse impacts and do not suggest an increase in water takings.

Given the above, we believe that Triton Water Canada Holdings, Inc. has demonstrated a better than average commitment to the sustainable use of groundwater resources in Guelph and surrounding areas.

Sincerely,
Professor Beth Parker, PhD, FCAE, BCEEM, LEL
(Director, of the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute)
University of Guelph