Watersheds We Help Protect

Supply Well TW3-80 
An aquifer is a highly permeable rock or sand formation that stores and transmits significant quantities of water. An aquitard is an impermeable rock or clay formation that impedes the movement of groundwater. 

In the Aberfoyle area, groundwater for water supplies is typically derived from two bedrock aquifers, separated by an aquitard. The upper bedrock aquifer (Guelph Formation and Reformatory Quarry Member of the Eramosa Formation) consists of the shallowest bedrock and supplies water to numerous residences. BlueTriton’s well TW3-80 withdraws water from a deeper aquifer, the lower bedrock aquifer (Goat Island and Gasport Formations). A steel casing lines most of well TW3-80, such that water only enters the well from the lower bedrock aquifer, between 28.4 and 31.1 meters below ground. The upper bedrock and lower bedrock aquifers are separated by the intermediate bedrock aquitard (Vinemount Member of the Eramosa Formation), which resists the flow of water between the two aquifers. 

TW3-80 Permit 
BlueTriton is permitted to take water from TW3-80 at a rate of up to 2,500 L/min, or a maximum of 3,600,000 L/day. BlueTriton does not withdraw this full amount of water since water is only withdrawn when it is needed for bottling and plant operations. The current permit expires on November 15, 2026. 

Site Monitoring 
Independent scientists are contracted by BlueTriton to monitor the groundwater system, surface water features, wetlands, and natural environment at the Aberfoyle facility. Water extraction rates from TW3- 80 are recorded by BlueTriton and reported to the MECP. Monitoring efforts are designed so that BlueTriton’s operations do not adversely affect the groundwater, surface water and natural environments. 

The groundwater and surface water monitoring program consists of monitoring at 73 points within 2 km of TW3-80 as follows: 

• TW3-80 (production well); 

• 18 monitoring well nests of between one and five wells each (a total of 43 wells) that are completed at various levels in deep bedrock, shallow bedrock and the overburden;

• 5 surface water stations to measure stream levels;

• 8 mini-piezometer nests (a total of 16 piezometers) to measure shallow groundwater levels;

• 6 temperature stations to measure changes in stream temperature; and

• 2 private wells.

The ecological monitoring consists of:

• Fish and fish habitat monitoring;

• Water temperature monitoring;

• Vegetation monitoring; and

• Wildlife monitoring.

Summary
BlueTriton takes its environmental stewardship responsibilities seriously and is committed to sustainable management of natural resources. BlueTriton’s Aberfoyle water withdrawal activity has not resulted in adverse impacts to groundwater, surface water, wetlands, or other natural resources.