Given Hydro One’s proposed transmission line, Chatham-Kent councilors passed a motion Monday asking the utility to outline measures to protect area water wells.
Article content
Hydro One recently released a draft environmental study for the St. Clair transmission line project, which includes, but isn’t limited to, areas in Chatham-Kent, such as North Kent.
Article content
North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville presented the original motion, with ward colleague, Coun. Jamie McGrail entering a friendly amendment to send a letter.
“We are all well aware of the history of the water wells and aquifer issues in Ward 4 North Kent,” Jubenville said. “I just want to be proactive.”
She said residents want to ensure the integrity of their well water, noting the impacts they believe stemmed from wind turbine construction.
Concerns were first raised in the summer of 2016 about potential well impacts before the industrial wind turbines were built in the North Kent Wind area, which takes in a large portion of Chatham Township.
Article content
Soon after construction began, several nearby households said their wells became clogged, blaming the problem on piles driven into Kettle Point black shale aquifer to erect the 34 turbines.
An all-hazard investigation, conducted in 2021, had looked into the impact of the construction and operation of the North Kent Wind farm on wells after some residents reported sediments clogging their wells.
In November of 2022, a geologist on the investigating panel reiterated the report’s finding that there were no widespread health hazards. However, the panel recommended sediment sampling to identify concentrations of potentially toxic substances, particularly metals.
Speaking on Monday, Mayor Darrin Canniff said Hydro One will be taking part in further stakeholder consultations.
“They’ve committed to no pile-driving, not touching the aquifer,” he said.
This story will be updated.
Share this article in your social network