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THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011 THE NEW TANNER 5 Water softener switch offer Acton area homeowners will be encouraged to trade their old water softener for a newer model that discharges less sodium and chloride. Sodium and chlorine levels are "trending upward" in the Acton area ­ they are still well under Ontario Drinking Water standards ­ but one way homeowners can help is to change out old softeners for a more efficient one under an Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship program. Details of the program will be mailed shortly to eligible homeowners, describing the program and how to apply. DETAIL MAN: Acton's Trent Toletzka (centre) welcomed Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette and Acton Councillor Mike O'Leary to the official opening of his vehicle detailing business ­ Clean Rides ­ last Wednesday at 262 Main Street North. ­ Ted Tyler photo Acton Food Share ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Water quality and quantity protection Approximately 6,000 people who "live, own property or operate a business in a highly vulnerable area near Acton/ Georgetown's municipal well(s)" received notification last week that there are activities, which if they are, or will occur on their property, are defined as a "significant threat" to drinking water under provincial law. The Clean Water Act, Queen's Park's response to the tainted water tragedy in Walkerton 11 years ago, requires development of science-based drinking water Source Protection Plans to prevent contamination and depletion. A Source Water Protection committee for this area wants input from affected property owners, asking in an April 21 letter if they are aware of a significant threat activity on their land, and if it is governed by existing legislation, like the Aggregate Resources Act or the Environmental Protection Act. Some of the 19 Size: 5.145 in. x 1.562 in. significant threats include septic systems, fuel storage, manure spreading, and road salt or pesticide application. Acton has the highest number of threats ­ 493 ­ in the Credit Valley Source Protection area, and 145 of them are use of road salt. Project manager Beverly Thorpe said committee is paying especially close attention to the Prospect Park well field where increased levels of sodium and chloride, mostly from road salt, pose a potential risk to water quality. She said the risk depends on how vulnerable the well is to surface water. "The wells in Acton and Georgetown are quite shallow in terms of depth, and the soil material over top of the well area is very vulnerable ­ there aren't thick clay lawyers to filter water from the surface," Thorpe The Family of said, adding the wellhead protection area covers urban Acton where there are additional sources for chloride and sodium contamination. Thorpe said she expects any policy, for example dealing with road salt, would not prohibit its use, but mitigate its impact through better management. In Acton, there are properties in identified vulnerable areas where the storage and use of fertilizers and pesticides are also potential significant threat to drinking water activities. "There will be policies for agricultural source materials, which is manure storage and application, looking at things like the Nutrient Management Plan and best management practices...we want to be able to manage those kinds of activities and allow people to continue their operations," Thorpe said. Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 7 p.m. 350 Queen St., Acton (Behind Mac's Milk) GORD & PAT McCUTCHEON invite you to share in the celebration of their 60th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE Saturday, May 14, 2011 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197 - Wright Avenue, Acton Best Wishes Only, Please JOIN US FROM 10AM - 12 FOR FREE TIGER FACE PAINTING, BALLOONS, COFFEE & CAKE Ted ArnoTT, MPP Wellington-Halton Hills Web: www.tedarnottmpp.com Phone: 1-800-265-2366 FREE GT GIVEAWAYS ALL DAY! Help us support The Acton Food Share with a $1 Donation & Get A Chance To Win A Deluxe BBQ. *NOTE: Due to lease restrictions Giant Tiger Acton will not be hosting a BBQ*