Wellington Water Watchers

Friends of Hillsburgh Water pack council chambers to address Nestle permit

Arlene — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:46:36 +0000

by Mike Robinson

http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/index.cfm?page=detail&itmno=12103

ERIN

It appears Hillsburgh Water has a lot of friends.

On May 1, council chambers were again packed with members of Friends of Hillsburgh Water (FHW) and those interested in the Nestle Waters proposal to extend its local water drawing permit by 10 years.

The delegation appeared to have a supportive contingent on council; however, the final decision ultimately does not lie with council.

Brochures distributed by FHW stated, “We’re a group of town of Erin citizens acting to protect our local water, ensuring there’s a pure, abundant supply of this precious resource now… Read the rest

Please take a moment to let your voice be heard!

Arlene — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:31:54 +0000

Pass Or Fail?

When the MOE considers a permit like Hillsburgh’s,it focuses solely on water-taking – not resource depletion, air pollution, noise pollution, infrastructure degradation, solid waste generation, reduction in property values along trucking routes, safety risks, and so on..Does this live up to the following MOE Statement of Environmental Values?

“The Ministry considers the cumulative effects on the environment; the interdependence of air, land, water and living organisms.”

PASS FAIL ✓
“The Ministry considers the effects of its decisions on current & future generations, consistent with sustainable development principles”Does bottled water pass

… Read the rest

SAVE THE DATE: TheTwo Rivers Festival – June 15th, 16th

Arlene — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:29:11 +0000

You are cordially invited to join Wellington Water Watchers on June 15^th as we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Guelph’s Covered Bridge and our Two Rivers, as part of the Two Rivers Festival (http://www.2riversfestival.org/). This event is a community celebration of our natural heritage, a fundraiser for Wellington Water Watchers and will also help raise awareness of the Speed River Clean-up which will be held the day after our celebration, on Saturday June 16^th.

We will start the evening of Friday June 15^th at 7:30pm with a ceremony to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the Covered Bridge… Read the rest

Request for Review of the Permit To Take Water process for the Bottled Water Industry

Arlene — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:08:03 +0000

This Request for Review is a document submitted to the Ministry of the Environment jointly by the Wellington Water Watchers and the Council of Canadians and supported by the Polaris Institute. Although lengthy, it is a great overview on why the permitting process for the Bottled Water Industry as a whole needs to be overhauled. The arguments used within articulate why the Hillsburgh permit renewal flies completely in contradiction of the Ministry of the Environments (MOE) own Statement of Environmental Values (SEV’s). Please have a read through to more thoroughly understand our position:

ATTN: Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

1075… Read the rest

Please join us for QUEEN OF THE SUN on Wed May 16, Erin Legion

Arlene — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:37:46 +0000

Last Call May 16! FAST FORWARD 2012 Eco-Film Fest
Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?

Greetings! Now that ‘the lusty month of May’ is here (quoting of course that great song from Camelot!), it’s time for bees & honey!

Our final FAST FORWARD eco-film of 2012 is QUEEN OF THE SUN: What Are the Bees Telling Us? which investigates some possible causes of Colony Collapse Disorder, killer of a truly frightening number of honeybees over the past half dozen years. (Since 40% of all our food depends on our friends the honeybees,

… Read the rest

Nestle and Our WATER

Arlene — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:34:40 +0000

Current WATER project —

Subject: Hillsburgh, Nestle and Our WATER

Dear Mayor Maieron:

Please do not take this letter personally. I would be writing these words to anyone holding a position of responsibility in this community given the same circumstances. Water is a global issue and of prime importance to the world. We can begin by respecting WATER in our own community.

I am a mother, a grandmother and a concerned citizen. Politicians change, politics change, but our responsibility to the Earth, the inhabitants, and the Greater Good shall always remain as moral law. This is especially so

… Read the rest

Local groups challenge Nestlé water-taking in Hillsburgh

Arlene — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 02:47:58 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 13, 2012

Local groups challenge Nestlé water-taking in Hillsburgh

In response to Nestlé Waters Canada’s application to renew its permit to take up to 1.1 million litres of water per day from Hillsburgh for its bottling plant in Aberfoyle, three local citizens’ groups have launched a campaign to stop or severely restrict the Nestlé permit.

Friends of Hillsburgh Water, the Climate Change Action Group of Erin and Wellington Water Watchers all believe this Nestlé permit – or any water-taking license for bottling purposes – represents a net loss to the environment and health… Read the rest

Bottled Life – The Truth about Nestlé’s Business with Water

Arlene — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 02:34:10 +0000

on Wednesday April 25th

At the Erin Legion

Join

For the Eastern Canadian Premiere Screening of:

Bottled Life – The Truth about Nestlé’s Business with Water

Bottled Life, the film, premieres in Erin April 25
The Climate Change Action Group of Erin (CCAGE) has presented more than a dozen award-winning environmental films over the past three years in its FAST FORWARD eco-series, but none on a topic so close to home as Bottled Life: The Truth About Nestlés Business with Water.

Bottled Life documents the… Read the rest

Grab life by the handlebars

SP — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:40:08 +0000

Combine sustainability & social justice education, theatre, leadership training, and bicycle touring.

The Otesha Project is seeking adventurous individuals to spin up some action around Canada.

Join a team of dedicated volunteers that will cycle from community to community to deliver hands on, interactive alternative education and theatre that engages and empowers youth on issues of environmental sustainability and social justice.

Expect to brave the elements, push your limits, experience communal living, and maybe spontaneously craft up superhero costumes to bike around in. Explore issues like renewable energy on Canada’s stunning east coast, watershed sustainability along the shores of the Great… Read the rest

Environment ministry asked to get tough on bottled water industry to protect vulnerable water sources

SP — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 22:01:10 +0000

Media Release
For Immediate Release
March 22, 2012

Environment ministry asked to get tough on bottled water industry to protect vulnerable water sources

Guelph – Wellington County : Two citizens groups, Wellington Water Watchers and the Council of Canadians have asked the Ontario Ministry of Environment to review of its permit issuing process for the bottled water industry. The request was made yesterday under the formal review mechanism provided by the province’s Environmental Bill of Rights and challenges the Ministry to conform to its own Statement of Values. A review could lead to tougher rules for the bottled… Read the rest