Have you considered that there could be threats to your access to safe, clean drinking water?
- Bill 132 has reduced our municipality's ability to protect our groundwater from gravel pits.
- The proposed aggregate extraction will alter the topography of the land including the catchment area of the on-site wetland.
- The Region of Waterloo will provide an internal review of the applicant's water study.
- The monitoring of gravel pits is essentially "self policed."
Once a groundwater source is contaminated, it is too late to correct. There is NO acceptable risk when it comes to water.
Groundwater is naturally filtered and requires less energy and resources to access and treat; compared to surface water (i.e. the Grand River) and pipes to access the Great Lakes. Waterloo Region is wise to protect this vital source of drinking water.
Take a look at this study from Finland stating that gravel pit operations DO affect groundwater when contaminants are present in existing soil/gravel/sand [Click here to read the PDF]
Possible risks to our local water:
- 3 areas of concern for potential water contamination:
- Source Protected Area (wellhead protection recharge area) - north portion of property
- Cattle feedlot waste storage area - south end of property
- Surface water and GRCA - east side of property
Click here to read a 2-page
Summary of Concerns re: Proposed Hallman Pit in Wilmot Township
by Wilf Ruland (P. Geo.) 30+ years experience as a hydrogeologist
Click here to read Review of
Level 1 and Level 2 Hydrogeological Evaluation for
Above Water Table Aggregate Extraction
Hallman Pit
(Harden Environmental Services Ltd, Sep. 3, 2019)
Maps
(Click on each to view larger version)
The Source Protection Plan (SPP) protects municipal wells and surface water intakes from specific activities that may pose a threat to drinking water.