SPRING VALLEY – When Sheila Harrington walks by the juncture of Route 102 and 104 in Spring Valley, she isn’t happy.
The Spring Valley resident’s displeasure began last year when Indian River Farms built a holding pond, drawing water from the area to irrigate nearby potato fields.
Now Indian River Farms, owned and operated by Mary Jean Irving, is working to build another series of holding ponds.
“We weren’t happy about the ones built last year, and we’re not happy about these ones,” said Harrington.
“I’m worried this could throw our water table out of balance. They’re not little ponds. They’re probably deeper than a large dump truck.”
Speaking on behalf of Indian River Farms, spokesperson Mary Keith, in a statement to the Journal Pioneer, said Indian River Farms takes its environment obligations seriously.
“We comply with all government using qualified experts to design the ponds. We use best practices in the operation and monitoring of the wells we own.
“Potatoes need water to grow. Our ponds provide supplemental irrigation. That is, they are an insurance policy against crop failure in the event of a dry season and are only used on an as needed basis. We believe in correctly built and managed irrigation ponds to collect rain water as well as water from permitted wells.”
Jamie Crozier, chairman of the Malpeque Bay Community Council, which includes the Spring Valley area, said there were no public consultations conducted before development of the holding ponds began.
“They’ve never reached out to us. It’s disappointing, but we don’t have jurisdiction over water.”
Crozier said the council has heard from a handful of residents, but not as many as last year.
“The new ponds aren’t as visible as the previous one near Black Horse Corner. I think the view and landscape as well as water quality are a concern to residents.”
In 2014, the council applied for an official municipal plan, but the provincial government rejected it. The official plan would allow the council to have some power over development, permits and allow for bylaws and amendments.
“Basically, right now council is powerless,” said Crozier.
In a statement the provincial government said no permits are required to allow the development of irrigation ponds or low capacity wells. However, the draft Water Act proposes to regulate low capacity wells for all purposes including for irrigation ponds.
Chris Wall, a New Annan resident who is familiar with the Malpeque Bay Spring Valley area, is disappointed to see hedgerows and woods clear-cut in order to dig wells and form holding ponds.
It’s disheartening, he added.
“Water is an important thing in the big scheme of things. Some residents are seeing their well waters turn cloudy and dirty. And so is the land. We have about six inches of topsoil, without the trees, there’s going to be a day where the topsoil blows and we’re going to be drinking only bottled water.”
