You may have recently seen the CBC article about communities in Arizona losing their water supply. But that’s not likely to happen here, is it? Yes, water supply has been an issue in our region. For example, the demand for water in West Montrose outstripped its supply, requiring water to be shipped in by truck, and the installation of  a new pipeline. And, water from aquifers in Elmira continues to be unsafe to drink due to industrial dumping of NDMA and chlorobenzene from agent orange and DDT production. Although it was identified to be leaking into the watershed 30 years ago, it still has not been completely cleaned up. Currently, there is no technology that can completely clean up this  mess.

I recently attended a talk by Bob Burtt, retired reporter who has written 3 books about the chemicals in Elmira’s water and other issues of water in Waterloo Region. His current book raises alarms about the Ford government rolling back generations of protections on water sources, safety, and flood protections. “Water – Our Sacred Trust” is a great resource for local history and issues surrounding water.

There were times in the past when our water supply was severely stressed. The recent stability has been due to diligent regional planning and management. As our population grows, it’s unclear where we will get enough water. Will we have to build a pipeline from Lake Erie, which has pollution issues of its own?

When I asked Bob why politicians finally started to take action regarding Elmira water, he indicated there had been intense resistance to even acknowledging the problem; he believes it was only due to the efforts of a group of dedicated and persistent individuals that some action was finally taken.

As individuals, we can take steps to conserve water and contribute to addressing this issue. Simple actions like sweeping patios and driveways instead of hosing them off, avoiding using tap water for watering lawns, and collecting rainwater in barrels for gardening and tree care can all make a difference. Additionally, being politically active and advocating for strong water protection measures is an individual action that can help safeguard our precious water resources for future generations.

While the recent article about communities in Arizona losing their water supply may seem distant, water supply challenges are also present in our region. By staying informed, taking action to conserve water, and advocating for robust water protection policies, we can play our part in ensuring that our water resources remain safe and sustainable for years to come.