Proposed Ottawa composting plant raises well-water worries

Residents of Ottawa's rural Gloucester area say they worry their drinking water could be contaminated by a new composting facility set to open this fall near Hawthorne and Rideau Roads.

"We're all on well water and the people here are concerned that the well water will be contaminated by this facility," said Steve Vamosi, who lives down the street from where the Dutch company Orgaworld is to build the plant.

The site chosen by the company was approved by city council in June. It is to process waste from the city's soon-to-begin green bin program. The program is designed to divert household kitchen scraps, including meat and dairy products, from landfills.

Ward Janssens, manager of international operations for Orgaworld, told CBCNews.ca Thursday that local residents need not worry, as water from the organic waste will be vaporized as much as possible. If necessary, any remaining water will be stored inside the building for shipment to water treatment facilities.

Even rain running off the roof of the building, which should be no different from water running off other buildings, will be collected in special ponds and tested before it is released into the environment, Janssens said.

He added that the company is required to meet provincial regulations by taking into account "all possible problems."

"The Ministry of the Environment will check everything in detail," he said.

Michel Robin, a University of Ottawa professor who researches groundwater contamination, said even if any liquid were to leak out, neighbours shouldn't be too concerned, considering the plant will only collect kitchen and garden waste and will not accept pet waste or diapers.

Coun. Peter Hume, who chairs the city's environment committee, said neighbours should be pleased with a composting plant, given that the site is zoned for heavy industry.

"It's probably the most benign use that [could] go there," he said.