Wallaceburg’s drinking water will be coming from Chatham.
While this is not a done deal, this will become a reality if a consultants recommendation gets approved by the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission.
The majority of people in attendance on Wednesday at the UAW Hall in Wallaceburg were not on favour of Wallaceburg getting its drinking water from Lake Erie, through the Chatham Treatment Plant.
However, this is the preferred option by Stantec Consulting Ltd., who were the hired consultants for the Wallaceburg and Area Water Supply System Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.
Here is our full story from the meeting: Wallaceburg’s drinking water recommended to come from Chatham
Tom Kissner, general manager of the Chatham-Kent PUC, says the decision is not set in stone.
“Certainly, people have the ability to comment and those comments will come into play, but the evaluation that we’ve gone through for the Class EA… and the outcome of the evaluation is a preferred solution and that really is the preferred solution,” he said.
Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley said he does not agree with the recommendations, preferring an alternative to rehabilitate the existing Wallaceburg Treatment Plant.
“I have yet to hear anybody, during the election campaign or leading up to this, telling me they prefer a Lake Erie solution,” Wesley said. “I’ve heard it from no one.”
Stantec and the PUC said they looking for feedback from the public.
Further comments are being accepted from the community until December 12.
Contact one of these two individuals with your comments:
Andrew Galloway
Engineering Technologist, Water/Wastewater
Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission
Tel: 519-436-0119 ext. 313
Email: andrewga@chatham-kent.ca
or
Michele Oxlade
Environmental Coordinator
Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Tel: 519-675-6652
Email: michele.oxlade@stantec.com
Watch for more on this story in the Sydenham Current.
