The longtime leader of a local activist group that advocates for clean well water in the community has named his replacement.
Kevin Jakubec has been the spokesperson for Water Wells First for the last three years, but he's handing over the reins to Jessica Brooks. According to Brooks, Jakubec wanted to focus more on research and doesn't have time to do both, while also finding time for family.
Brooks said the first thing on the agenda is to organize a water wells meeting in January.
"We are in the process of planning that," Brooks said. "Giving out information about what we've done, where we're at and where we want to go next because we have a few options. We're open between then we will hear more positive and proactive things from the provincial government. I haven't really heard a lot that makes me particularly hopeful."
Brooks said the group wants remediation for families affected. She knows first hand how bad the problem is as the well that supplies water to her home in North Kent was shut down last summer. She said her family has spent thousands of dollars on a bypass tank system and are spending money on water that they didn't have to buy before.
"There needs to be some compensation for damage and there needs to be a solution going forward," Brooks said. "Right now we are hauling water in a tank behind our minivan, down gravel roads. If things get busy and the water gets low we have to put off things like laundry for a couple of days. We need to have reliable, clean, safe water."
The spokesperson said there are a total of 15 affected wells in the area. She couldn't give a number on how many individual people are affected because she said not everyone is coming forward.
The group claims that the damage to local water wells is being caused by the construction and operation of wind turbines in North Kent.