Families in Chatham-Kent concerned about black, silty water in their wells have been told by the provincial government that their water quality has changed, but not because of the construction of wind turbines.
The farming families are upset with the government after receiving a report that appears to clear North Kent Wind Farms, owned by Pattern Energy, of water contamination complaints.
"I have a problem with that," said Christine Burke, while swirling a bottle of blackened water.
"It’s a fourth-generation farm and we’ve had crystal clear, pristine water for decades .. and after the wind farm construction it’s gone to where we can’t use it."
She added her family welcomed green energy to the area, but "not at the cost of my family’s drinking water."
Company blames traffic and well pumps Pattern Energy spokesperson Matt Dallas said the company received 16 complaints about water quality in 2017, nine of them have been reviewed by the ministry.
"The highest vibration levels recorded at the well locations were attributed to well pumps and nearby traffic," he added.
Brooks and her family have been using a water tank supplied by North Kent Wind for clean water while the government examined their water.
Now that the study is completed, the company plans to begin removing those tanks, something Brooks said could leave her family without a source of clean water.
"We’ll contact the water company we’re currently working with to see how much it will cost to keep that tank.