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ACTON ONTARIO WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19 SECTION Does Rockwood need water sewage A special report for the Free Press on Rock woods acute problem i by Lorraine Root CLIVE The question of pollution problems in the Village of Rock wood first became apparent through the eyes of the Wellington Dufferin Health Unit when a number of residents were reportedly having trouble with their well water others dif with septic tank systems It was referred Clive Beardwood one of the seven public health inspectors affiliated with the Wellington Health Unit Mr Beard wood looked into the matter and tried to alleviate problems as they arose However as the situation became progressively worse with more perplexities cropping up with septic tanks the Board of Health asked the township to consider changing building by laws to a minimum of SO square feet as too small lots were creating difficulties with tanks and water supplies Report bad well In the Health Unit reported to the O R C that had quite a number of bad wells and septic tanks They enquired how much the Grand River water table rock formation would stand It was at this point that the Ontario Water Resource Commission asked the Wellington Health Unit to assist them in a survey An Inspection was conducted In a centrally located large block area of concentrated housing in the village Door to door samples were taken of approximately 170 homes Many questions were asked of householders and If there were any problems the Department of Health in filiation with the O at tempted to distinguish between water in the wells being bad or polluted Of 170 homes visited per cent of the wells had problems and a certain number of septic tanks were also not functioning properly lnmanv cases the only way of correcting on a private or individual basis was to have the tank replaced which would mean blasting rock to get the tanks in and the lots were too small So It was with more and more wells showing problems and septic tanks repeatedly giving trouble the health department could find no specific indications where the problem was Ground saturated Although an extensive study and search had not been made a matter of long time observation on an individual basis had proven that there was not enough soil on top of rock in the area to provide proper filtration In places with too much con centra ted sewage in one spot the ground was becoming saturated More and more tanks were being installed in the village as people bought up two lots with the proper square footage which officials feared would eventually result In even more concentrated building Then there was another survey Indications pointed Co the rock pollution level reaching the point of no return Sewage in some cases was being drawn out or neighbors wells Gasoline leaking through the rock strata was finding its way into wells some distance away Although new wells might be drilled and septic tanks reinstalled it was just a matter of time when the pollution which was stored in crevices would be released and overflow into other wells If said Mr Beardwood per cent was the reading four years ago would hate to guess the percentage of polluted wells right today There is no place to put the blame for present problem According to the majority of sewage pollution is from humans Previous ex pretty well shows It was from septic tanks The only neglect involved was that early town fathers did not foresee what could happen with the growth of a village is not alone in its perplexities Other areas in the north end of the township have also had considerable difficulties over the past years In fact maybe even greater ones with heavy clay saturation Thcgovernmcnt decision that all small towns and rural com munitics must become equipped with water and sewage disposal systems to hold the country s pollution problems at the present level made it feasible Rockwood should be next on the list Already many small com munitics have adapted to the new systems including Drayton and Grand Valley both small Ontario towns with populations not ex Although the O R C is quite adamant there is no chance Rockwood s position necessitates the installation of the plant there does seem to be a measure of urgency Many do not realize the reason their wells arc functioning well without pollution is because they are fortunate enough to live in an area of the village where there is ample square footage and more than the required five foot soil depth for filtration However it quite possible the picture could change very quickly and contamination could leech into the un contaminated water supply Also because there are too many concentrated wells on the upper table of the rocky region their water could also disappear So unless the new system is installed soon the village Inaction could according to Mr Beardwood result in epidemics of hepatitis or some other communicable disease This has been happening in other parts of the Province The O W C have examined the findings and because they have the to look at a community and say Let fix Opinions from Ever since the April 30 Rock wood Village public meeting when O C officials and the Trustee Board attempted to explain to residents what the rates would be for the sewer waterproposal there has been an attitude of general alarm in the village amongst many who would like to get some straight answers as to why it is necessary to put a village with only a small number of tax paying residents into such debt There is no question as to whether such alliens are con about fellow villagers and problems regarding wells and drinking water they are in fact very much worried but there is a feeling that the whole proposal is being forced on them with too little explanation as to why it is necessary They wonder whether exorbitant costs as laid out in a letter from one of the village leading citizens to a local newspaper recently be curtailed and cut according to the doth which people can afford David a comparative newcomer to toe moved sere abost five years ago along with hi wife Jackie and they think Rockwood It the only place they want to and He hid this to No one within the village of would expect any other person to be subjected to impure water either in their own wells or In other form Surely pure water is the bom right of every Canadian What exactly did the Health Department have to say about the present situation in the village regarding the wells and septic tanks Would it not seem that clean water would be the main problem the village has if the bylaws pertaining to septic systems were properly It appears not to be public knowledge as to what type of pollution exists in the con laminated wells it human faecal or other types of pollution The estimated cost of the proposed water and sewer system which was reviewed at thetownmeetiagonApriiaO as it stands is expensive It is questionable whether a village of this site can afford such a system even after the province has allowed the SO per cent subsidy of our provincial lax dollar It would appear that the frontage charge will have to be increased if Insufficient homes understand the beef of the Eden Mills residents who psychologically did not want Rockwood residue in their swimming water If it not good enough for then its not good enough for Eden Mills he said And why would it not be cheaper to put the plant right at the nearest water point by the main road near the mill and this would cut out the necessity of extra pumping stations to send sewage up the hill and around the con servation system Mr also felt that this would reduce the cost of the project Dave Rowe join the system as it would not be paying for Itself The only other alternative would be to en courage new industries and homes into the village Surely problems of this kind should receive more interest from the village residents and be shown by their attendance just once a month at the village trustee meetings Gunnar took up residence In with his wife and four children sad are already contributing towards its progress by Introducing a new business enterprise Into the village Mr Allerellle rosin concern is the reason that it Is necessary to take the pipe line up past the conservation park He and his family have lived within a 150 yds of a similar type plant in Milton for six years and he feels that instead of investigating an expensive ultra modern system the trustees should investigate the less costly one in Milton Although Mr found swimming beside the sewage plant in Milton was not unclean but in actuality very sparkling clean and he allowed his dogs to drink the water he could still Gunnar Gary Bateman is another recent resident who Is very much aware of Rockwood potentials and should someday make his contribution towards village affairs Presently on the staff of Z Bennett public school in Acton Gary and his wife Donna and their two small children live on Main Street He said Apart from the excellent letter that Mr Day wrote regarding the economics of sewage and water being installed I have a few thoughts on the subject and questions which should be answered As human beings we are endowed with a it residents may be glad that they have been discovered in time because it Is governmental body which has the access to the monies required for installation It has been said many times by the village and township represcn that The Ontario Water and Resource Commission personnel are appointed to aid not to hinder or waste anybody s money There are many questions the villagers are asking and such questions should be answered by someone who is in a position to answer honestly and with knowledge Mr Beardwood volunteered to answer such questions and here is how he looks at the situation Question Is there any present ruling about septic systems and could they not be investigated and kept under surveillance with penalties if not adhered to similar to fire department by tews Mr Yes there is a simple by law pertaining to in the Health Act However the majority of cases in Rockwood cannot be fixed Question Has there ever been any extensive research done to see If there is any cheaper way of solving the problem such as supplying water daily to those whose supply is Inadequate or installing joint septic tanks Mr It a matter of transportation economics During a three year drought In this area it was attempted to truck water but it did not prove feasible on a permanent basis both from the standpoint of ex handling and also the fact something could contaminate the liquid It was impractical Four or five people on one system will not solve problems There is a required gallons per person per day in every ft of ground per person for disposal in normal ground If we would In stall a three or four man septic system It would amount to the same thing Small lagoons are not feasible because the thermal layer In the water can be quite foul for at least 10 days twice a year Also it would require a location of at least 1 ft from residence A tank is still the most successful and economical method but It requires an area of five feet grade of earth over rock Question Why is It necessary for to have such an expensive and updated system when a much larger area such as Milton has only a simple one which Is adequate and probably not as costly Did trustees consult with Milton Answer Naturally every new item is better than the one before and it Is logical to assume that the newer vat em proposed for will not cost any more for its better capabilities than the one in Milton as it was probably considered the best at the lime of Installation Extra costs would only be determined by the genera upgrading of all costs Question Has a check been made to see if the cost could not be curtailed by septic tanks being brought up to standard Answer Yes But most tanks are not repairable If not adequately handled residents would have to have a placard marked condemned on their homes In such a case Rockwood could not expect any new residents who will help curtail the cost in the long run Question If the whole project is scrapped who will pay the shot of the survey Answer The government is responsible and the O R C will absorb same Question Why should Rock wood residents have to pay for the pipe past the conservation park Answer The piping cost past the conservation park would possibly be absorbed by the government as recreation areas of the province are benefitting by pollution abatement Question Is it true that if one question Is raised the proposal will be automatically scrapped Answer Not at all But all letters of disapproval should be forwarded to the Municipal Board or presented at a meeting of the M Question Would it seem practical for Rockwood to install water only If not why not Answer Practical yes but It would only solve the immediate hazard not the final pollution one later Within a year or maybe two the pollution could flow out If there are rock fissures the pollution disappears into it but with no such fissures it follows the rock table right down to the river the centre of the watershed into which everything flows Question How long will this system remain adequate Answer Rockwood is presently geared for people It could be a IS year plan depending on the planning council should insist on an official planning and zoning board prepared to set up proper protective by laws A planned sewage expansion program Is necessary If it happens gradually It can be controlled and new industry and growth absorbed the same way Question If the village cannot pay the cost and if a vote is taken and it registers a No what will happen from the standpoint of the Board of Health and the OWRC Answer A vote will not affect the necessity of the proposed system While the respects the rights of the citizens It also has not gone to the expense of such a survey unless it was considered absolutely necessary If a number of homes were condemned then the village would be considered shut down and new residents would not be moving in Such an increase in population would help to curtail expenses Question Regarding the residents of Eden Mills How will Ihls affect the water running down to that village Answer Not at all The OWRC have a policy to locate systems half a mile from the nearest dwelling and this will provide enough aeration and oxidation in the waters so that by the time it reaches Eden Mills the water has been purified again Question Would It not be cheaper to put the plant right at the nearest water point close to the main road near the mill thus alleviating the necessity of extra pumping stations to send the sewage up the hill and around the conservation system Answer I go along with the idea of putting it near the first dam on the main road The OWRC requires the effluence be released on a watercourse with enough water flow to dilute It six to one In fast flowing water If effluence gets into calm water there Is a definite growth or algae not necessarily pollution but it is plant life feeding nutrients and as a result the algae bloom thought normal with all that water could bloom beyond the capabilities or the water to supply oxygen It would be used up by the algae This could kill fish If however it hits on running water there ii a natural aeration taking place If Introduced above the dam in stead of below it could result in a clogged up mess Consequently it would be preferable to run the effluent below the milt dam Question If the conservation park should prove to have sewage problem how will it be handled and who will pay Tor if Answer The conservation park would have to hook up to the present sewage and water system and charged on the same basis industry With water meters by the i gallons Question If a householder could not afford to have a hook up to the system could they apply to the National Health and Welfare for a loan paying it back at low interest rates Answer Never heard of it They could take a Home Im provement Loan from any bonk l Ion Can people with well pollution be protected if there is no availability for hook up Answer Yes Refer to The Public Act No 103 which clearly slates that debt can be incurred cover cost of an ex tensive hook up Question If number of people renege from hooking up to the sewage line it will make the cost for those who do more exorbitant Is then any stipulation on this In municipi lilies dealt line dates for hook an set and must be adhered to accordingly Then ire many more questions people will be asking Some want know If the Township could get loan with the stipulation Well drill the well us bark We now know hit many of the wells arc top vol polluted meaning those on the upper rock strata and it just matter of time before pollution seeps into the lower ones sold Mr Beard wood it mild hive originally resulted from tin mechanical sealing failure of si me of the old wells pollution or septic to net in Whatever it is he that the pi ins for tin are In their 1 i According to timet report from Out Resource Commissi in Tin fun proposal is with the if they decide to go he ail the moment this is the of iv Muinlmie that it depends on the hearing Mr ftels that if council does turn down on the It would let a reasonable time and then probably con alternative Ml ml to officials time and the decision n with an e according out Copyright on sewerwater proposal great capacity for generating idle criticisms and when things go wrong we are certainly blessed with a most adequate hindsight The part that bothers me is the fact that communications are inadequate between the elected representatives and the electorate Communications from the elected body to the electorate is the responsibility of its elected officials They have been given a trust It is up to them to continually convince the electorate that the represcn tatives were worthy of that trust They show this by their actions in the council chambers and by the kinds of responsible decisions they make in their capacity as guardians of the public interest On the item of cost for sewage and water service why cannot each householder be told how much It cost in taxes tb for water for sewage d for sewage and water in total per year if all services are subscribed to and If If only half the houses subscribe to the service I imagine that if only half the householders subscribe the sewage and water rates will double Am I correct It seems that the only ones who will benefit from sewage and water in cold hard cash are the developers and the people who hold undersized lots The rest of the ratepayers will be faced with an increase in cost of operating their homes from about per year up to plus per year depending on whether or not the service is subscribed to By the way how much will it cost each old age or other pensioner I also hear that some homes won t even be offered the service but this piece of information is If water goes ahead with sewage development will take place Because speculators and developers will benefit let them pay a good share If the sewage goes ahead how long will it remain adequate Is there a registered town Why is plan for a pipe plan and development schedule about feet long to take to regulate any builders and fluent below the conservation speculators They will take over area Better still why do the a town this size if allowed people of lave to pay for this by indecision lack of proper pipe It will Idid through rock forethought and development expensive If there is one question thut is raised by any that 90 children take park swim lessons cannot be Is In Gary Bateman Everybody in the water fine and all the children from four to IS take lessons at the Conservation Park Mike Hoffman Is back at the old lifeguard stand and after three years on the same grounds he makes the chore of setting up the 90 student swimming program seem like a breeze with university potentials like Murray Blackman Jim Brown and Mary Kitchen showing their charges how to make like swimming sea dogs it turns the three week sessions of daily lessons into a great treat With approximately 15 children in each class Jim Hoffman says the Beginners IS STILL the most popular and as mothers lounge on the beach watching young offspring spurting about they manage to slyly absorb some of A Tip that vitamin D uncorked while junior takes his dally dip Students who arrive in for their regular courses are mostly from Eden Mills and the area with a number coming in from Acton and Guelph Although there have been no reconfc made this year during the regular sessions the teachers are proud of their charges and communicate with personality and good nature Hopefully said one young instructor all of these little kids will be able to make It by the end of this year With a series of beginners juniors intermediates and seniors taking as many lessons as they can handle Iheresnowhcrctogobulon until you re a senior Then you have passed all your Red Cross tardy then the whole plai question 1 have heard people talk about a ratepayers but this necessary in a small town if the tatives arc sensitive to public opinions and consider all alter natives presented by the think officials here think they are endowed with the Examinations and will be eligible wisdom of Solomon and would for tests at Guelph answer questions and be Centennial high school receptive to suggestions JANICE GRAY Brenda Honan Karen Honan and Marilyn Kelly of do a flutter kick as they cool off after their swimming session