The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is moving forward with a water testing plan, as rural well owners continue to have issues near the North Kent One wind farm project.
Municipal officials say residents near project, whose wells have experienced water quality issues, will be contacted by Chatham-Kent officials this week to allow them to select a firm to test their well water at no cost.
Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire said the municipality, working with public health officials, have identified 17 labs in Ontario that are both licensed and accredited by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation to test drinking water for microbiological agents, organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, and other particulate matter.
Chatham-Kent officials say part of council’s motion on August 21 was that: “The (Municipality) will cover the cost of inspections on five wells currently experiencing problems. Inspectors will be selected jointly by the well owner and the municipality.”
Shropshire said residents will have the option to choose any of the accredited labs.
“We want to ensure there are no concerns about who does the testing,” Shropshire stated in a press release.
“We’ve provided the list but the choice will be up to the residents.”
At a meeting last week between Chatham-Kent officials and representatives of the provincial Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Municipal officials say the province also committed to contact owners of wells which have experienced issues and reviewing those concerns with Samsung Renewable Energy and Pattern Energy, developers of the project.
Part of council’s resolution asked the provincial government to halt wind turbine construction in the municipality until the issue of water well quality is fully investigated.
That request is still before the premier’s office, Chatham-Kent officials said.
– Photo credit: Water Wells First
