Water quality has gone downhill fast since installation of turbines in area.

By Carolyn Camilleri | Published by Ground Water Canada | First published on September 20, 2023

“They’re useless, unreliable, costly, and harmful, but more than that, Ontario has the Health Protection and Promotion Act, and it clearly defines what a health hazard is that has or is likely to have an adverse health effect on the people. Why are Ontario laws not being followed? The other one is the Environmental Protection Act. People have a right to live safely in their own homes. And, of course, the nuisance. Why are these other landowners allowed to put something up on their property that impacts people up to 15 kilometres away?” — Ruby Mekker, health advocate.

Summary

Christine Burke and other residents in Dover, Chatham-Kent, have experienced significant issues with their well water, including black sludge-like markings on clothes, breakdowns of household appliances, and reduced water flow, which they attribute to the construction and operation of nearby wind turbines. The problems began about a decade ago, coinciding with the installation of wind turbines in the area. Despite installing extensive water filtration systems, the fine black shale particles in the water have proven impossible to filter out, leading residents to rely on bottled water for drinking and cooking.

Health issues such as fatigue, tinnitus, heart palpitations, and nausea have also been reported by residents, along with concerns about the toxic materials used in turbine construction. The vibrations from the turbines are believed to have affected the aquifer, causing liquefaction and leading to the contamination of well water with sediment and potentially toxic metals.

Efforts to address these issues have been met with bureaucratic challenges and incomplete investigations. Despite recommendations for sediment analysis, the Ontario Ministry of Health initially failed to collect sediment samples during their all-hazard investigation. Residents, including Burke, fundraised to conduct their own sediment tests, which revealed the presence of toxic metals such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury in the sediment.

In response, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent has urged the Ontario Ministry of Health to conduct the necessary sediment testing and follow-up studies. However, the province has not yet responded. Residents continue to advocate for safe water and are being forced to consider costly alternatives, such as connecting to municipal water lines. Meanwhile, new wind turbines are being constructed in other areas, raising concerns about similar issues arising elsewhere.

Read the original version of this report at the publisher’s website here.