Officials with the proposed Otter Creek Wind farm are taking concerns about well water seriously. boralex-meeting

Boralex held a public meeting last night to discuss the project at the Clubhouse at Baldoon.

Project Manager Marc Weatherill says they’re looking into claims that turbine construction is negatively affecting groundwater in the area.

“We’ve engaged a third-party consulting firm to look at this alleged phenomenon and help us understand on the basis of facts, science, known engineering principles, whether or not what Water Wells First is claiming is actually possible,” Weatherill says. “We did ask Water Wells First for studies or materials explaining their claim, and unfortunately they haven’t shared any of that with us, so we’re undertaking these studies ourselves.”

The Otter Creek site is on the same Kettle Point black shale as residents in Dover, who’ve been experiencing issues with their well water.

“If we were to see a clear demonstration that we are going to affect any aspect of people’s lives in the project area, we would look at that and identify ways that we could mitigate those effects,” Weatherill says. “If such proof, so to speak, does arise by all means we’ll look at it.”

Protesters from the group Water Wells First presented Boralex with a “Shame Award” last night, a move Boralex says is misguided.