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Wednesdsay June 21, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A5 W alkerton tragedy m eans H atton takin g w ater-care action By Mary-Louise Langlois SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Water is something most Canadians take for granted. In Canada, water is a natural resource -- consumers turn on the tap and out comes the water. It is expected our water will be fine -- not only fine, but clean and safe. Recently, Ontario received a wakeup call when the water tragedy in Walkerton occurred. The Walkerton crisis has trig gered increased concerns about water safety across the province, including Halton. Patrick Murphy is Halton's Commissioner of Planning and Public Works. "Water security is absolutely important," he commented. "Since the Walkerton tragedy, we have reviewed our procedures and are spending a little more time on well-based systems." In raw water, it is possible that E coli would be present, but once the water has gone through all of its processes, there is virtually no possibility of the presence of E coli. There are safeguards set-up and barriers to check for bacterial contam ination. Last year, almost 5,000 samples of water were tested in Halton for bacteria alone. Recognizing that chlorine car ries its own risks, Murphy stated that Halton region tests well below the minimum standards for trihalomethanes (THM) which is one of the side effects of chlorine use. THM is asso ciated with a higher incidence of cancer. The Region of Halton has always recommended to wellowners to test their well water at least twice a year. However, they didn't keep track to see if it was being done. *In the past, the region, at the well-owner's request, would take a water sample and send it to a provincial lab in Hamilton. The lab contacted only the owners, not the region, if there was a problem with the water. One change has come about since the Walkerton tragedy -- the region is now notified by the lab. Subsequently, the region is able to follow-up with well-owners. Halton Public Works has trained micro-biologists on staff. Murphy said, "It takes a fairly sophisticated, well-trained staff to run a water system." Murphy said that as a result of the Walkerton water crisis, "We have had more calls than normal, the bulk of those calls have come from rural people on well water." The region has had concerns for a number of years with wells whose water table was closer to the surface because of the increased risk of contamination. Bottlers of water in Oakville have also received a few more calls than usual about the purchase of bottled water. Black Oak Brewing Company and Lifesource Water Systems Limited both produce water that has gone through either distillation or the reverse osmosis water process. Lydia Sonderup, of Lifesource Water Systems, cannot say for sure if the increase in business was a result of the prob lems in Walkerton or because another bottler recently moved out of Oakville. Sonderup said, "We received many calls over the same period as the E coli outbreak from the public requesting information about the `safety' aspect of our water, and a fair proportion of them took it a step further and started purchas ing our water. As the interest on the news broadcasts waned, so did the public's request for information." The consensus of the bottlers interviewed by the Beaver is that they received more calls about water after the prob lems in Walkerton; however, as one company stated, there are always more people buying bottled water in the spring and summer months. Bottlers of water in Oakville have known for some time that all water is not the same. Even bottled water is not the same. Those who bottle distilled and reverse osmosis water feel that the product they bring to the public is about as pure as possible. The advantage of both distillation and reverse osmosis processes is that these processes remove between 95 and 98% of organic and inorganic minerals as well as chlo rine. John Gagliardi, owner of Black Oak Brewing Company which specializes in beer, sells its reverse osmosis water to consumers -- the same water they already produce for their beer. Gagliardi states, "Oakville water is biologically safe. However, the inorganic minerals in well-water, spring water and town water can lead to long-term health problems. The benefit of reverse osmosis water is that it is almost 98% the quality of distilled water but at half the cost." Sonderup said, "We do feel that there is a need to keep the public constantly informed of alternative measures to keep their drinking water clear from harmful bacteria, chemicals etc. and to inform them of the health benefits derived from drinking reverse osmosis (R.O.) and/or distilled water. Once they start drinking R.O. or distilled water, they increase their water consumption." Photo by Peter C. McCusker T O P T O W N : Oakville has been named the Community of the Year in its population division, by Welcome Wagon (WW). Mayor Ann Mulvale (left) accepted the award Monday evening from Josi Stasiewicz, WW area manager.To be eligible for the award, communities must have WW's three basic programs in place, including visits to families who move, expectant or new parents and couples planning a wedding. There must be excellent participation by area businesses, a high ratio of families visited and good civic involvement with the WW service. Friday, Saturday & Sunday, June 23,24 & 25 (unless otherwise specified) 3D A Y SO N LY! C a n a d a D a y a c t iv it i e s a t p a r k Canada Day is coming, and it's time for you to test your knowledge of our beautiful country. Challenge yourself with fun trivia, designed for both adults and children, at Spruce Lane Farm House in Bronte Creek Provincial Park on Sat., July 1st. Spend the afternoon in the presence of Spruce Lane Farm House, a tum-of-the-century home that reminds us of a dif ferent Canada. Bring your family to share in an important part of our heritage, and join in many activities from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Victorian Flag-making, face-painting, and fudge making and sampling will all help make Canada Day fun for you and yours. Spruce Lane Farm House is located at Parking Lot `F ' and the house is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, visit the Nature Centre to make `Canadanas,' Canadian flags, get your face painted, and participate in a Great Canadian Scavenger Hunt. The nature centre is locat ed at Parking Lot `C.' Transportation is available between both areas by tractor-drawn wagon rides for a minimal fee of $1 per person and $3 per family (children under five ride free). FRIDAY,JUNE 23 IS BAYCARDCUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY! Put your purchases on your Bay Card and throughout the store. Includes advertised items and now includes lamps, prints, mirrors. Some exceptions do apply. See in-store for details. save 10% On purchases throughout the store. We will give you a discount equivalent to the GSToff our regular,sale or clearance prices. Excludes doorcrashers.Some exceptions do apply; see in-store for details. save the GST towels 8AMTO10AM SATURDAY,JUNE 24 ________________ I ___________________ SAVE ON FASHIONS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY & ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR HOME! save 40 % ·Women's sum m er designer fashions Selected styles from Bianca NygSrd, Jax, Liz Claiborne,Tommy Hilfiger & more. Selected styles also available in petite sizes. save 30% ·Women's Clarks sandals Style:"Sunwrap." save 55% 1 0 0 % cotton palatial Wamsutta solid-coloured sheets & cases Supercale,Comfort Soft & Sensuous. B usiness Depot thieves could be part of ring Halton Regional Police in Oakville are investigating a theft from the Business Depot located on Winston Churchill Boulevard that occurred on February 22 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Call 825-TIPS The store associates report that or 1-800-668-5151 glass display showcases located within the store are in the computer aisle and have had the following items removed. 3 Hewlitt Packard Photosmart C200 digital cameras and 1 Diamond Rio 500 MP3 digital player. The display cases were locked and there was no sign of forced entry. When the items were discovered missing, the locks were still intact. There have been several similar thefts at other stores through out the area. These thefts may have been committed by an organized group roaming the golden horseshoe area. There have been similar thefts at many other audio visual and com puter stores. Call us if you know who is committing these thefts. If you have any information that leads to an arrest in this or any other matter, you may be eligible for a cash reward You need not give your name when you tell us your infor mation and you will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to the telephone call display feature. PLEASE CALL 1-800-222-TIPS OR 825-TIPS (825-8477) ·All women's Real Shoes Exdudes Bay Value styles. save 33% CRIME STO P P ER S ·Women's Northern Spirit®, Principles®, Expression® & Real Clothes Selected styles also available in petite & plus sizes. ·All handbags From Villager, Liz Claiborne, Steve Madden, Frankie & Johnnie, Principles® & Expression®. Exdudes Bay Value styles. save 30% ·Sum m er acrylic patio serveware ·Women's spring & sum m er dresses ·Women's activewear by Nike, Reebok, Adidas & Everlast ·All boxed bras & briefs From WonderBra, Vogue Bra & Warner's. ·All women's sleepwear & robes ·Men's To m m y Hilfiger fashions ·Kids'brand name fashions Bugle Boy,Tommy Hilfiger & Real Clothes sizes infants, 2-6X and 8-16. Osh Kosh sizes infants and 2-6X. Levi's® & Point Zero sizes 8-16. save 10% All barbecues & accessories What's In A Name Bridal Name Change Service in our china department June 24 1lT0am-230pm June 25 ltX)prr>4fXJpm. Register with our Oakville Registry June 17-July 31 to be eligible to win a Bridal Name Change Package ·Women's sunglasses Exdudes $11.99 style sjo m m y Hilfiger, Serengeti & Ray Ban, Oakville Place 842-4811 Mon.-Fri. 9:30-9pm, Sat. 8:00-6pm, Sun. 11-6pm All offers are o ff our regular prices, unless otherwise stated. Brands & selection w ill vary by store. W hy s h o p a t a store th a t d o esn 't qive you ' ' AIR MILES® ? reward miles Reward miles are awarded m onthly, based on cum ulative purchases, excluding taxes. ® m Trademarks o f AIR MILES® International H olding N.V. Used und e r license by Loyalty M anagem ent G roup Canada Inc. and th e Bay. AIR MILES® means AIR MILES® reward miles unless the context requires otherwise. D riv e rs k n o w th e v a l u e ... The V o lk s w a g e n Passat --- . See our advertisement on page 3 in the Waterfront section. Over P D riv ers w a n t e c f ^ g ) Oakville Volkswagen ssz K err stre et (90S) 844-3285 32 Years of O utstanding Service