Reality dictates water supply By Rosaleen Garneau Georgetown South will likely be serviced by a lake-based water sys- tem within two or three years, since the region has had difficulty find- ing a groundwater well in the area that standards. allows an arrangement with Peel-in section B6C14 which states the region may “Consider and permit, on a case-by-case basis...new urban service interconnection between the Region of Halton and abutting Halton Urban meets On March 24, the Planning and Public Works Committee approved a recommendation from the Commissioner of Public Works, A-F. (Art) Leitch “That the Region of Halton request the Region of Peel to consider the option of an interim supply of water from Peel’s North Meadowvale Reservoir to the Region of Halton.” In his accompanying report, Leitch outlined the difficulties of relying on groundwater supply and how environmental Saupe Soe are making it hard to secure “ service capacity for existing and planned Population in the Georgetown urban area’ He said, “There are so y many con- cerns about groundwater supply that this potential source of munici- pal water has become a less attrac- Les option”. Peel has excess capac- in its M eadowvale Georgetown South Structure Review, (HUSR) howev- er, deals specifically with “overall water system needs and supply”. According to Wong, the region is hoping that in seven or eight years Milton will be on a system using water from Lake Ontario, providing a means to replace the water capac- ity borrowed from Peel and to sup- ply water to the Georgetown area south of Silver Creek. In the meantime, each developer has to get approval for building based on the availability of ser- vices, including water. The local waste water treatment plant has been upgraded but there is not enough water to support new popu- lation growth. Wong estimates it will take two to three years before the pumps and mains (infrastructure) will be in place to service Georgetown South, if the proposal is approved. Until Reservoir which is will likely be serviced such time, new Lak filled by lands will not be Ontario water. Tt bya lake-based water released for devel- also has a problem with water pres- sure which could system within two or three years opment in- the Georgetown South area. be alleviated by selling the excess to Halton. There will be water piped to Georgetown South and to Milton Ee from the Meadowvale reser- oir with the possibility of another reservoir being built in Halton Hills. Ho Wong, Director of Planning and Development, said an amend- ment was approved about 10 years ago to give Halton more urban land, allowing for a possible popu- lation of 40,000 in Georgetown, about 20,000 more than at present. Since that time, environmental concerns have restricted the avail- ability of water due to more strin- gent rules, and now, the necessity to prove no new well will affect area fisheries. The Leitch report states “The concept of the Peel connection is that Halton Region, rather than attempting to develop additional groundwater sources, would “bor- tow’ from Peel Region their excess water supply ea for this inter- im period (199! The Draft Nee Official Plan The success of the Peel-Halton water deal depends on the approval of the lake-based water system for Milton by Regional Council, since Halton Region must secure a source to repay Peel before it can enter into an agreement. The recommendation for the lake-based system is part of. the HUSR and will likely be pre- sented to council in the fall. Wong said it is “good using lake water so groundwater won’t be depleted further”. He understands the concern of Halton Hills resi- dents and those in Milton who pre- fer to “maintain as long as possi- ble” the well-water system which many aga feel supplies water of superior quali Not aise otniSe by Wong is the future possibility the region and the town may decide that a lake water system is more desirable or more convenient that the existing groundwater supply and extend the lake water supply to the whole town. However, he added, “The immediate concem is Georgetown South’ Waste water information centre A second public information cen- tre is being held June 21, for the Regional Municipality of Halton’s Class Environmental Assessment (EA) for Additional Waste Water Trunk Capacity to service Georgetown. There will be visual displays and staff available to answer questions between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Town of Halton Hills Civic Centre. At this meeting, M.M. Dillon Limited, consultants for the Region, will present the stud: team’s recommended location for the additional trunk sewer to ser- vice Georgetown. The evaluation of the. initial four options and details on the recommended loca- tion will also be presented. This meeting follows up on the previous public information centre held February 10, at which time the evaluation of alternative ways. to provide additional capacity and the four location options for the trunk sewer were presented. Since this time, the Region and the consul- tants have been working with the Public Liaison Committee to com- plete the evaluation of the four options: Public input from the first meeting was helpful in this process. The Region is now looking for input on the recommended loca- tion, ~ This Class EA is being carried out because the existing Silver Creek trunk sewer, built in 1959, has insufficient capacity to service future growth areas outlined in the Official Plan. Additional waste _water trunk capacity will be required to serve Georgetown West, the western part of Georgetown outh and Stewarttown. This is the second study on the provision of additional waste water trunk capacity for this area. The Region feels this new study with its expanded scope of work will address public concerns. Halton Hills This Week, Wednesday, June 9, 1993 — Page 5 would like to extend an invitation to come to see us at the Georgetown Marketplace Mall on June 10, 11 & 12. If you are new to the area, come on down and let us explain to you why you need the CULLIGAN MAN! Come and see our Magic Tap, enter our FREE DRAW or just ask questions. Give us a Call at: 519 area 1-800-463-3622 or 416-874-3044 We're your Water Treatment Specialists... WATER SOFTENERS, DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS, PURCHASE, LEASE-TO-OWN, RENTALS ~ Serving Halton & Region since 1950 ~ SEGURI IS THE KE Hot Sound. Cool Price. 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