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For future growth Town water system needs $30 million in upgrades CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Millions of dollars will have to be spent on water and wastewater systems before more industrial and residential growth can occur in Acton and Georgetown. Peter Crockett, Halton Region's Commissioner of Planning and Public Works told Halton Hills council at a meeting earlier this month, that at least $30 million will be needed to upgrade the water supply and wastewater treatment plants in both communities. There is currently no extra water in Halton Hills' well system to support future development (beyond what has already been draft approved). Acton and Georgetown urban areas both rely on well-based water supply and stream-based (Black Creek and Silver Creek) wastewater treatment systems, and over-extenuating of both can lead more readily to environmental impacts than the usage of Lake Ontario-based systems. There is no extra water supply pumping from Acton's five wells to support any additional growth. But there is some capacity left in the Churchill Rd. wastewater treatment plant equivalent to 112 single detached homes (SDE). The currently serviced population is 10,041 and 100 hectares of employment lands. Halton Region staff started work on a water master plan for Acton in 2003, and this year began work on a wastewater master plan. The water master plan is looking at whether more water can be pumped from the Prospect Park well field, but this is contingent on pumping tests and environmental study reports under an Environmental Assessment (EA). A public meeting is expected in early 2007. If the EA is successful, Halton Region will apply to the Ministry of Environment (MOE) for a permit to take more water that could be issued by summer 2007. See AREA, pg. 7 LIST WITH A PROVEN PERFORMER ·Same Great Community Website ·Brand New Technology Artist in motion Gretchen Day, of Georgetown, puts paintbrush to canvas during Saturday's Arts in Motion event held at the Halton Hills Cultural Centre. A total of 20 local artists, using various mediums, displayed their talents and answered questions from the public. Photo by Yves Desjardins