We have confirmed with Ontario MOE Director, David Bradley that the septage site operated by Haliburton Septic Pumping and located on property just off the 25th Line in Algonquin Highlands is closed as of November 30, 2019. The MOE received no application to continue the use of this property.
As stated by the MOE
“Consistent with the agreement that was reached there has been no applications or request for extensions to use this site beyond November 30, 2019 for the land application of hauled sewage. In the absence of a valid Environmental Compliance Approval, any land application of sewage after this date would be a violation of the Environmental Protection Act.”
The MOE will continue to monitor this site to ensure environmental compliance.
The concern of course is there is still no long-term plan to handle the issue of untreated human waste. Dysart et al has contracted with ASI Group to look at ways of disposal that potentially could reopen up the old Cooper Site on Green Lake. That site of course was ultimately closed because of contamination of neighbouring drinking water supplies and high levels of e coli into the river that feeds Maple Lake. Our Green Lake friends and MBC supporters were put through hell with the mess created there.
Of interest is that ASI presented an extensive report to Dysart Council without ever talking to the MOE. I wonder what value we get for our investment in these consulting companies.
MBC will renew e coli testing in the spring of 2020.
A note of appreciation to the Environmental Group “The Ontario Water Keeper”. They were concerned enough with the septage site that they loaned to the group “Our Grand Children Matter Too” an articling student to explore OMB rulings as well as starting a letter writing campaign on our behalf. They were the only group who felt it necessary to speak out about this. So thank you so much for you help.