Local NDP candidates are supporting calls for a health hazard investigation when it comes to contaminated wells in Chatham-Kent. 
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has released a report clearing Samsung and Pattern Energy of any fault for some of the well issues around the North Kent Wind 1 project site.
Todd Case, Ontario NDP candidate for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, says residents deserve answers.
“The problem we have is that the Ministry of Environment doesn’t recognize Black Shale as one of the things that needs to be tested,” Case says. “The folks from Water Wells First have done a lot of independent studies of their own and come up with their own information and data on this, and we’re just asking the province to take a look at it and consider it.”
Case says if the provincial government decides to step in, the investigation will be done by a third party.
The MOECC’s most recent report covers eight complaints filed after construction began on the North Kent Wind project.
Meantime, the Wallaceburg Area Wind Concerns group is sharing similar concerns.
Violet Towell, spokesperson for the group, says the Ministry shouldn’t stop investigating until they find out what is causing the contamination.
The MOECC cited “unknown factors” in clearing the wind company of any responsibility.
“The Ministry response to the damaged wells in North Kent is not good enough,” Towell says. “The deterioration of water quality in these wells didn’t just happen. As Mr. Justice O’Connor confirmed in his 2002 report on the Walkerton water tragedy, the MOECC has responsibility for ensuring a safe water supply in Ontario, they should not stop investigating until they find out what is going on here.”
The group says the Otter Creek project should not be approved until the situation is thoroughly investigated and resolved.
