That was the message behind two spirited presentations made recently regarding the possibility of mandatory private well water testing in Halton.

“Rural residents are capable of managing their well water in a reasonable and responsible fashion,” said Gary Ellis, director of the Milton Rural Residents Association (MRRA).

The presentations were made October 21 at the Halton health and social services committee meeting in response to a staff report requested by councillors on the feasibility of a mandatory program where fines could be imposed for noncompliance.

While committee ended up endorsing a voluntary well water testing program — not a mandatory one— that didn’t stop the delegates from pointing out why such a required program wouldn’t work. The voluntary program was also approved by regional council last Wednesday.

Both delegates said they’d be in favour of a voluntary program.

Ellis noted there have been no known illnesses locally due to private well water, and said a provincial recommendation that water be tested three times a year is overkill. The U. S. and other provinces recommend annual testing, he said.

He took exception to some of the figures in a Region study completed last year, which included that 37 per cent of the wells tested in rural Halton were found to be unsafe for drinking.

He called that number “exaggerated” and said wells that have coliform aren’t unsafe, but were included in the 37 per cent.

The MRRA recommends the Region put together a booklet with all the necessary information about private well maintenance and testing, Ellis said, and leave testing as a responsibility of well owners.

Also speaking was Milton resident Michael Grimwood, who said study results don’t show that sort of program is warranted.

“Such a mandatory program would be an over-reaction based on perception rather than reality,” he told committee members.

A private well water owner registry would be “burdensome and expensive to administer,” he said.

The staff report stated a manda- tory program would be challenging to implement, would limit staff resources and wouldn’t necessarily change well owners’ attitudes toward inspection and maintenance. There are about 7,800 private wells in Halton.

A voluntary program will “educate, remind and encourage residents to sample their private water supplies,” the report states.

It will include a voluntary private well owner registry and promotional activities, including a media campaign.

In response to Ellis’s comment about the Region needing a booklet about well maintenance, Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville said such a booklet has already been created by the Province.

Ellis said the Region needs one of its own and offered the MRRA’s help.

Somerville said he agreed with Grimwood that it’s important the periodic well water information sessions not seem like sales pitches for well drilling and water treatment companies.

Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal defended the study’s findings that 37 per cent of Halton wells are unsafe for drinking, addressing Ellis’s comments.

“That’s no exaggeration. Nothing has been slipped in or slipped through,” he said.

Staff will look into compiling an information booklet, he added.

Committee and council directed staff to work with rural ratepayer groups to implement the program.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com .