Frustrations over Spallumcheen council’s issuing building permits to a farm perceived by many to be responsible for high nitrate levels in a local aquifer, and the whole aquifer situation, boiled over in council chambers Monday.
The Hullcar aquifer, which services more than 200 residents, has been under a water quality advisory for more than two years because of high nitrate levels.
The Steele Springs Water District, Save Hullcar Aquifer Team and Spallumcheen council have been lobbying the provincial government to order the farm to stop spraying liquid manure on its property and to release sample data to the public. Meetings have been held between all parties but, to date, nothing has been resolved.
On May 24, council issued a press release saying they were reluctant to do so but legally bound to issue building permits to the dairy farm which is located directly above the aquifer.
The building permit applications are for a barn for shavings storage, and for a dairy barn addition of nearly 34,000 square feet.
During question period at Monday’s regular council meeting, Schubert Road resident Rick Parker asked council if the vote on the matter was during an open session and wanted to know the results of the vote.
Administrator Corey Paiement explained that discussions on the building permits were done in camera, which means council, by law, cannot discuss what was said.
“I was born here, left, came back to look after my parents and what I have seen happen is horrendous,” said Parker. “I have lost all faith in the provincial government, and I had high hopes that people closest to the problem as honourable members sitting here in front of me would stand up and say ‘this isn’t right.’ But that hasn’t happened.”
Parker said allowing the building permits will mean more commercial farming operations will come to Spallumcheen.
“At some point, someone has to take a hard stand,” he said. “There will be two outcomes: litigation or putting public pressure on the top end (of government).”
Al Price, spokesperson for the Save Hullcar Aquifer Team, acknowledged that while council is busy with all issues, the Hullcar aquifer situation is a matter of public health.
“We are busting our asses to try and get something done for the people who don’t have a voice,” said Price. “This issue is splitting and destroying the community. I understand your hands are tied but please do as much as you can because people are really being hurt now.”
To a person, council members defended their actions.
“We have done everything that we possibly can to support this issue from when it started,” said Coun. Christine Fraser. “We have been lobbying at every level of government that we can. If anybody here thinks we haven’t done that, step into one of these seats. Sometimes we have to make some unpopular decisions.”
Coun. Joe Van Tienhoven said if the aquifer gets contaminated, it’s not good for any Spallumcheen resident.
“This issue is consuming our lives and our livelihoods,” he said. “We’re working for you.”
Parker asked council if it was hopeful for a resolution to the issue.
“I’m hopeful but I’m leery,” said Coun. Todd York, whose own well is on the Hullcar aquifer. “I think by adding weight the provincial ministries, it’s going to be enough to make them buckle. We warned them about this years ago.”
Council voted just prior to question period to send 18 letters from residents on the building permits and Hullcar aquifer to provincial ministries.