Midhurst ratepayers ask: is there water for 10,000 more people?

Springwater issues water restrictions

From the Midhurst Ratepayers Association July 29 2015

On Tuesday, July 28, Springwater Township issued water restrictions for all those connected to municipal water. Residents are being advised to conserve water generally and, specifically, to reduce the watering of lawns and gardens until further notice. Although this may seem like a common prescription, such water restrictions are prompting a fundamental question from the Midhurst Ratepayers’ Association: how much water IS actually available for our residents now and, especially, in the future?
Municipalities issue water-use restrictions or bans when the supply is insufficient or over-stressed. This protective measure would not be necessary IF there really were abundant water for all conditions. With climate change bringing higher temperatures and unpredictable amounts of the rain and snowfall which replenish our aquifers, major problems with water supply loom large. Developer pressure to urbanise will place huge demands on our water resources. In fact, the proposed Midhurst Secondary Plan will require the extraction of 10 M litres of water EVERY DAY from a local aquifer! And it’s one that supplies neighbouring communities, too.
Developers and engineering consultants have assured us that supplying 10,000 additional homes with water will not be a problem. Is this credible when Barrie is struggling to ensure its supply of drinking water is sufficient for its planned growth and water restrictions in Springwater are announced? As is evident across the globe – California springs to mind immediately – water supply and its mismanagement are becoming critical issues. How can stressing our water supply for the sake of a vast and sprawling development possibly be progressive, pragmatic or wise?
International water advocate Maude Barlow and author Margaret Atwood have joined our fight to stop this development, and to protect our water rights and ecological treasures like the Minesing Wetlands. They join over 45,000 people who agree that our water, farmland and the integrity of our communities are far more important than corporate-driven sprawl and developer profit. Quick buck or enough water to sustain us into the future? Which do you choose?
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The Midhurst Ratepayers’ Association (MRA) is a grass-roots organisation representing over 400 concerned residents from both Midhurst and Springwater Township at large. Through our “Save Midhurst Village” campaign we have garnered the support of over 45,000 people on our petition as well as notable celebrities like Margaret Atwood to stop sprawl from destroying almost 2000 acres of prime farmland and our watershed. Established to protect the integrity of Midhurst and surrounding communities, it stands up for the best interests of residents and for responsible growth. The MRA has a positive vision of growth for the area. It is trying to persuade rural Springwater Township to develop a more fiscally responsible and ecologically sound plan for growth which will protect precious farmland and preserve water resources. You can find out more about the MRA and the Midhurst Secondary Plan on their website www.friendsofmidhurst.ca or through their Facebook page “Save Midhurst Village”.