Officials with Pattern Development are issuing an apology of sorts.
The company is supplying bulk water to a handful of residents who are experiencing problems with their well water in the wake of North Kent Wind 1 turbine construction.
Pattern’s senior manager of external affairs, Beth O’Brien says following an investigation into the cause of the property’s water issues, one such tank was removed without consulting the family.
“this last time when we went to remove those tanks, we didn’t do a good job of it,” O’Brien says. “We gave the results of the analysis to the homeowner in a letter, letting them know it was determined we weren’t at fault, so we were going to be removing the tanks, and that didn’t go over well, so we’re going to learn from that mistake.”
O’Brien says moving forward, no tanks will be removed without full consultation with the homeowners to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Concerns were also raised about a warning that was posted on one such tank, saying the water may not be suitable for consumption.
O’Brien says all of the bulk water being provided comes from the municipal supply, but it comes down to liability.
“They’re not testing that water ever day, they don’t know if someone else is adding different water to it once we provide the tank,” O’Brien explains. “They don’t want to guarantee the drinkability of that particular water that’s in the tank…so that’s why in addition to the tank, they supply big water coolers for drinking and for cooking.”
There is no set timeline for how long Pattern will provide bulk water to families, and O’Brien says they are continuing to consult with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
