Feature Article March 27, 2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeThe Sydenham water saga continues as group seeks injunctionby Wilma Kenny
Sydenham Water Committee is a group of village residents concerned about both the effect and the cost of a proposed water chlorination treatment system for Sydenham. They would like to slow down the process so that they can discuss possible alternative solutions with the township.
Committee chair Pauline Vaughan says two main concerns are continued environmental degradation due to the lack of any plan or funding for sewage treatment, and pressure brought on by the Walkerton experience to rush into a quick fix solution.
Without sewage treatment, Vaughan points out, contamination of groundwater from septic systems will increase, and might eventually raise the nitrate level of the lake, which is the proposed water source for the village. While a lagoon-type sewage system would be very expensive, she says CMHC has literature describing a variety of smaller point-of-use treatment systems that would be worth considering.
While chlorination of lake water would eliminate the risk of water-borne disease, it will also create trihalomethanes as by-products. These chemicals, like nitrates, can be dangerous for pregnant women. Both Windsor, NS and Belleville have had expensive retrofits to remove trihalomethanes from their municipal systems.
Vaughan asks, "What sort of village do we want? Will the proposed water program raise property values, or property prices? If rents and taxes go up, small businesses may choose to move outside the village. Do we want Sydenham to keep its unique character as a village that is a safe, affordable place to live and do business, or do we want it to become an affluent bedroom suburb?"
Vaughan also says that of 50 household water samples recently tested for nitrates, only two have been above the 10mg/l level established by the province as not advisable for drinking. Committee members are encouraging village residents to take advantage of the low group rate [$6.] presently available for this test, and pick up a bottle at Steve & Annes pet store.
Councilors Smith and Pobran, both members of the townships water steering committee, would not address specific questions, saying that Cataraqui Regional Conservation Authority has been meeting with the project engineers to work out environmental concerns. They added that they are looking at ways to provide more information to villagers about the projects progress.
Although the committee raised the necessary funds to proceed with an injunction against the township continuing with the water treatment program, $30,000 at last count, they had hoped to enter into a mediated discussion with township officials, avoiding taking court action.
However, South Frontenac Council has refused the water committees offer of mediation, and the committee is proceeding to seek a court injunction. This would stop any further work on planning the water system until the local committee can discuss with council, through court ordered mediation, alternate water and sewage options.
It will be a week or two before the water committee will hear if their application for a court injunction will be successful.
