What is the Ancaster Well?
The Ancaster Wells site is located within the Dundas Valley Conservation Area and is accessed from Sulphur Springs Rd. It consists of a public water filling station and a parking area.
In the early 1960s, the Ancaster- Public Utility Company drilled test wells to serve the former Town of Ancaster and Dundas with drinking water. The wells served this purpose from approximately 1965 until 1978 when both towns switched to the centralized regional water supply that uses Lake Ontario as its source.
HCA purchased the property in 1998. At that time, a committee was established to consider working with the private sector to bottle the water and direct funds from water sales toward environmental education programs for area youth, as these programs had been discontinued after significant provincial funding cuts in 1995. In 2002, the water bottling proposal was deemed unviable, as a public media release explained. No bottling or commodification of the water has been considered by HCA since 2002. On January 1, 2018, some changes to public access to the filling station were made due to updates to Ontario’s regulations for drinking water quality from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.
What changed? Why are the well taps fenced off with a swipe card gate access?
Ontario’s new regulations for drinking water quality standards were enacted on January 1, 2018, specifically related to arsenic concentrations, which put the well above the new prescribed standard.
Ontario drinking water quality standards apply to small drinking water systems, and the well was considered such by Hamilton Public Health Services. To keep the well open, HCA was required to do three things to make sure that the well is no longer considered a “small drinking water system” and not subject to Ontario’s drinking water quality standards:
- Restrict open access by building a fence around the well taps.
- Well users must sign a waiver to be aware that the water is not provided for drinking water or cooking, is not tested, and is known to contain high levels of arsenic and sodium.
- Put up a sign by the well taps with information similar to the waiver.
- Public Health directive for Ancaster Well
- HCA Board of Directors motion re: Ancaster Wells October 5, 2017
Why did Ontario’s drinking water standards change?
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change lowered the Ontario drinking water quality standards for arsenic in drinking water based on scientific evidence and to be consistent with current guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, the World Health Organization, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Standards and other jurisdictions. Arsenic is known to cause cancer in humans.
How will well users be able to access the area?
Through swipe card access only, which opens the gate and fence system at the well.
When did the access to the well change?
As of January 1, 2018, when the new provincial drinking water quality standards for arsenic came into effect
How can I get an access card?
Swipe cards are available from the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s (HCA) main office at 838 Mineral Springs Road, Ancaster, for a one-time $10 fee, which helps towards maintenance and administration costs. Cardholders will also be required to sign a waiver of liability each year.
Can I pick up or renew a card for someone else?
No, each cardholder must sign the waiver in person before being issued a swipe card. Cards are non-transferable.
When is the HCA’s main office open?
Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed weekends and holidays.
Learn more about holiday closures and office hours here.
How does the gate system work?
What if my card stops working?
If your card is damaged or stops working, a replacement card will be issued at no cost. Please bring your original card to the main office for replacement.
What if I lose my card?
You must visit the HCA main office for a replacement if you lose your swipe card. An administration fee of $5 will apply for lost cards to cover replacement and administration costs. The system administrator will cancel lost cards.