CHRIS LOWREY
CLARENDON July 14, 2020
With placards in hand, dozens of Sand Bay residents gathered outside Clarendon municipal hall on July 14 to protest what they say is . . .
complete inaction on the part of the municipal government.
The particular issue they’d like to see council act on is a septic system installed by one of the residents in Sand Bay on municipally owned land.
The homeowner installed a septic system which required the installation of a pipe that had to go across the municipality’s land, which also serves as a section of waterfront many residents use for swimming.
Although it’s not technically a public beach – there are no lifeguards or public washrooms on site – many residents treat it as such.
Residents were up in arms last fall when construction began on the septic system, and again in the spring when several Sand Bay residents attributed a green algae bloom along the shoreline on the newly installed septic system.
The concerned residents formed the Protect the Sand Bay Waterfront Committee and started a fundraising page online, which managed to bring in more than $10,000 which they have used to hire legal representation.
The group originally hired a lawyer because the municipality was reluctant to hand over documents requested by the group.
One of the protesters, Joan Belsher, said that when the municipality didn’t comply with an access to information request, the group sought legal help.
But she also said one of the main reasons protesters were there on Tuesday night was to communicate with council, something many protesters have been unable to do.
“There’s just a huge lack of information right now,” said Sue Garvey. “Long term residents have been trying to work with the municipality since the fall and we’ve gotten nowhere.”
Many at the protest would like to see the pipe removed from the public land and put on the property of the homeowner in question.
Garvey said there have been a few water tests done in the area, one of which was done by the Ottawa Riverkeeper.
“So far, the results are OK,” she said.
But protesters also said they want to see water flow tests done in the bay because provincial rules dictate that septic pipes that discharge directly into a body of water must have a strong enough water flow to disperse the discharge.
“We’re going to have no choice but to get our own waterflow test,” said Belsher.
While some protesters said that the municipality originally showed some willingness to work with the group, that co-operation has waned.
Belsher said organizers asked council for a meeting – even outside in order to maintain social distancing – and said council refused.
“We just want to sit down and talk and fix it,” said Garvey. “It’s really disappointing.”
So residents decided to turn that disappointment into action and more than 50 people turned out for a protest before Clarendon council’s July meeting.
Residents waved signs reading slogans like ‘Save Our Beach,’ and ‘Do You Want to Swim in That?’ with a photo of the algae bloom.
As the councillors arrived, protesters shouted slogans at them as cries of ‘Shame’ rang out as well.
One of the most vocal protesters, Peter Van Dalen, didn’t mince words when asked about the process so far.
“It’s reprehensible,” Van Dalen said. “Council is supposed to represent the people and they’ve done everything but that.”
It’s something that has made him less optimistic that a solution can be reached any time soon.
“I have no confidence this will get resolved,” he added.
