Citing concerns with the effects on well water in the area, Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy was seeking a moratorium on wind turbine construction in Chatham-Kent.
However, at last weeks council meeting Bondy’s notice of motion was rejected 9-7, and never made it to the table for discussion.
Council did authorize legal counsel to attend last week’s Environmental Review Tribunal held on Tuesday, August 23.
“There is something going on,” said Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley.
“I am not sure whether it is wind turbines or what it is, but there is something going on with the water levels in Dover and parts of Chatham-Kent.”
Concern from residents
Several deputations on the well water topic were given prior to the meeting, from concerned residents.
Kevin Jakubec, organizer of Water Wells First, said the citizens of Chatham-Kent are owed the right to continue enjoying water.
“It is essential for their life, it is essential for their productivity,” Jakubec said.
“We must have this looked at. We must understand what is going on. Why are we seeing wells which have been for decades completely good and have served families and now are starting to become polluted with particulates?”
Jakubec told the Sydenham Current last month that he is concerned that the pile driving of the wind farm foundations is causing vibration damage to the wells.
While in the council chambers, Jakubec passed around a jar of water and a glass of water from a local well.
“I would ask members of council to drink the water because that is what the people in Dover are doing,” he said.
“They are drinking that water. How can we expect the people of Chatham-Kent to drink that water which is now polluted with particulates? We must simply understand why the wells have gone dirty. We need to understand what these particulates are because certainly you don’t want to put this in front of your children or your family and so in solidarity with the people of Dover Township, I will drink the water that they drink everyday.”
Yvonne Lavens, who along with her husband Gerard own a farm in area of the proposed North Kent Wind 1 Project, said she is concerned “about the health of our presently clean, safe farm well water.
“Especially after seeing the dirty water now produced in former Dover Township where turbines operate. We understand it has been stated should well water problems develop due to turbine activities that turbine owners would be required to supply affected water well owners with bottled water until the problems are rectified. Totally unworkable,” Lavens said.
Lavens added plastic bottles are already environment pollutants and bottled water couldn’t be used to fill and refill water tanks used in large fields for planting vegetables, spray field crops, water herds of livestock or water gardens, or be heated for showers, baths, washing dishes or laundry.
“Should we be deprived of our clean tap water any more than our city counter parts?” Lavens said.
“Now at the ages where we would like to pass the farm to our children, we actually started this process but with the uncertainty of the farm well water, these succession plans have been halted. Our daughters cannot assume control of a farm where safe water is not assured. Water is critical for survival, not a luxury.”
Mark St. Pierre said the water in his Dover home turns filters jet black.
“You certainly wouldn’t give this to your children or drink it or even give it to your dog or cat,” he said. “But this is the only water that I have in my house and we drink it, cook with it, do the laundry, shower and bath in it and feed it to our children and grandchildren and pets.”
St. Pierre added: “My wife and I are slowly poisoning ourselves. Our property value has dropped to who knows what, as no one on the planet would want to live where there is filthy water.”
Next steps
Jakubec and Water Wells First has appealed North Kent 1 Wind’s Renewable Energy Approval (REA).
A preliminary hearing was held last week, where some details were finalized.
An Environmental Review Tribunal hearing will begin on October 5, and could run until Oct. 27.
Chatham-Kent’s role in the hearing is expected to be known by today, August 29.
– Photo credit: Tami Schram
