Blog – Page 2 – Island View Ratepayers

BlogPage 2

Island View – Sparlings Propane Group

IVDAARA has created the Island View-Sparlings Propane Group and it is only available to members. The group rate is negotiated annually and runs from September to June. New members must sign on by early September in order to join the group. Once you have joined the propane group, you must continue to be a paid-up IVDAARA member in order to stay in the Island View-Sparlings Propane Group.

The Island View-Sparlings Propane Group provides members with the following benefits:

• for 2020-21 the rate is 44.9 c/litre

free tank monitoring device for peace of mind run-out prevention

• customers 60 years + will receive their tank rental complimentary

• any existing customer referring a new customer to Sparlings will receive 200 free litres of propane

• .10 cents per litre off first delivery for all new customers switching to Sparlings

• $100.00 account credit for all new customers switching to Sparlings

• free tank installation and gas check for customers switching to Sparlings

• first year tank rental free to all customers switching to Sparlings

• 300 free litres for customers switching to Sparlings

The IVDAARA contact for the Island View-Sparlings Propane Group is Sherry Grant sherrygt@hotmail.ca.

Kemble Arena

IVDAARA would like to see the Kemble Arena renovated and upgraded so that it can be be re-purposed to a multi-purpose Community Centre. For this and related issues, attend the special Open House on Georgian Bluff’s new Recreation and Trails Master Plan on Thursday March 12th 5:30-7:30 at the Shallow Lake Arena.

Viewpoint Spring 2019 available

The SPRING 2019 VIEWPOINT NEWSLETTER is now available. We, the IVDAARA are celebrating 45 years … with a massive list of accomplishments over that time. READ IT HERE

First Nation sues for title to massive area of the Bruce Peninsula and water territories of Bruce and Grey Counties

The Saugeen Ojibway Nation is pressing a claim to ownership of government land across the entire Bruce Peninsula and a legally unique claim for Aboriginal title over the “water territory” around it — stretching from the international boundary with the United States in Lake Huron across to Georgian Bay — along with compensation that could amount, by their accounting, to $90 billion. The trial started in Toronto on April 25th 2019 but this suit was initially filed in 1994. Article from the National Post

Click here for the link to the local Owen Sound SunTimes article.

What is not under claim by SON, court heard, is privately owned property in the area, or, in the language of the claim, land “in the hands of bona fide purchasers.”

Viewpoint Fall 2018

Although this Fall newsletter covers local issues and coming events as usual, the focus is mainly on the nature and trails in our neighbourhood. We are truly lucky to live where we do, but are you aware of these: the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, the North Keppel Amik Preserve at Big Bay or Greystone Trails in your backyard? We have information on them all! Read our most recent Fall Newsletter here.

Unwanted Items: What to do With Them?

What to do with unwanted items that do not go in the Blue Box or in a garbage bag at the end of the drive?

For years we have been conscious of the need to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The following is some information to aid in that process.

Household items in good repair can be taken to Thrift Stores etc. No charge.

Electronic Waste can be taken to the Restore (Habitat for Humanity) 223017 Grey Rd 17 (Springmount area) Owen Sound, 519-371-6776 Restore

Monday -Saturday 9 am- 5 pm. Sunday 10am -4pm. No charge.

Staples will also accept Electronic Waste at 1077 10th Street West, Owen Sound 519-372-2228. No charge.

Used cabinets, doors, windows, lighting and plumbing fixtures etc in good condition are accepted at the Restore (Habitat for Humanity). Information above. No charge.

Tires are accepted at Stephen’s Auto Wreckers, 452288 County Road 24, Wiarton 519-534-0258. Open Monday -Friday 9am – 5 pm. Stop at the office for direction to disposal site. No charge.

Metal Recycling can be taken to Stephen’s Auto Wreckers, location as above. Anything with metal in it even if only partly metal is accepted*. Stop at office for direction to disposal site. No charge.
*They will not accept appliances, ie fridges, freezers, dehumidifiers or AC with freon unless item has been tagged that freon has been removed.

Hazardous Waste can be taken to the Owen Sound Public Works Department. 1900 20th Street East, Owen Sound. On specific dates only. Check website for dates and list of acceptable product. No charge.
Owen Sound Garbage and Recycling

Items too large for curb side pickup and not suitable for one of the above locations can be taken to Miller Waste Systems 2085 20th Avenue East, Owen Sound.
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-2pm. 519-372-1855
Closed Sunday and Holidays.
Cost is based on weight.
They will accept appliances with freon ie, fridge, freezer and AC for a fixed fee of $39.95
Miller Waste Management

Any items set out at the end of the drive for pick up by interested persons must be removed by 8 pm of the same day according to the Township of Georgian Bluffs. If items are not picked up in a timely manner the Township of Georgian Bluffs will deal with this through ‘Response Based Complaint’ form.
Call Township of Georgian Bluffs 519-376-2729 or Bylaw Compliance Complaint Form

Let us do our part to keep our beautiful area just that…BEAUTIFUL.

Recolour Grey – County Official Plan

The draft County Official Plan is now posted on the Grey County website. Land use planning manages our land and our resources. It helps each community set goals about how it will grow and develop. It also works out ways of reaching these goals while balancing social, economic and environmental interests. Land use planning
balances the interests of individual property owners with the wider interests and objectives of the entire community, and the Province. For the full plan, click here: Recolour Grey

Water Quality

It is in the best interest of all residents of any community to keep all water including bay or lake water, ground water or well water as clean as possible. This article will include information on private wells, watersheds and Georgian Bay as a factor in the health of the water that comes out of your tap. Treatment of the water from a private source coming into your home or cottage is the homeowners responsibility. There are many ways to ensure your drinking water supply is healthy including micron filtration, ultraviolet light, chlorination, ozonation and reverse osmosis etc. The Public Health Unit suggests that residents test well water 3 times a year for E Coli and coliform. This is free of charge. Water sample bottles can be obtained from the Public Health Office, 101 17th St. East, Owen Sound, 519-376-9420 or Grey Bruce Health Unit/ Wiarton Hospital.

The Public Health Unit also monitors the public beach areas. www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Environment/Safe-Water/Private-Drinking-Water

Well owners, including shallow shore wells, may also consider a more comprehensive test for substances including metals, fuels and solvents if there are concerns. This type of testing would involve a private water testing lab and is ‘fee for serviceʼ. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/water-quality/what-your-well-guide-well-water-treatment-maintenance.html

Microbial contaminants such as bacteria, parasites and viruses along with septic water and grey water, toxic chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, other agricultural run off and industrial effluents can all have a negative effect on water quality. Apart from the obvious impact on water safety in terms of drinking water, swimming and tourism appeal, poor water quality can also lead to nuisance and toxic algal blooms and in extreme cases can result in the death of fish, other water creatures and birds. With over 8,000 kms of shoreline on Georgian Bay and 3,700 aquatic marshes in Eastern and Northern Georgian Bay, this area provides high quality habitat for fish, amphibians, reptiles,
insects, birds, waterfowl and numerous in water and coastal plant species.

Wetlands play an important role in maintaining overall water quality. Wetlands perform a type of water treatment function, filtering sediments as well as contaminants such as pesticides from air and water, which helps control water pollution. They also filter excess nutrients reducing harmful concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen. Most wetlands in the Great Lakes have already been lost or degraded due to human disturbance. More than 50% of the wetlands in Lakes Michigan, Erie and Ontario have been negatively affected. But in Lakes Superior, Huron and Georgian Bay over 70% have been minimally impacted. Georgian Bayʼs wetlands remain abundant and in pristine conditions and are considered to be the least human disturbed wetlands on the Great Lakes. The water chemistry of Georgian Bay is a mix of more ‘hard waterʼ from the Western shores influenced by water draining the limestone bedrock and water draining the granite bedrock of the Canadian Shield on the Eastern and Northern shores. This ‘soft waterʼ tends to have a light brown coloration due to tannins and other acids originating from more acidic bog drainage. In most large bodies of water chemistry is relatively uniform throughout the main lake basin because of wind driven mixing giving us clear, colourless, less acidic and water higher in alkalinity and dissolved minerals. These influences are from the large areas of limestone bedrock on the Western shores.

Water quality in Georgian Bay remains relatively pristine in most areas. Areas of concern are in higher densities of shore development and in lower levels of water exchanges with the open bay. www.georgianbaygreatlakesfoundation.com/water/water-quality

Grey Sauble Conservation and the Ministry of the Environment monitor surface water and ground water quality. GSC samples 10 watershed sites and 10 groundwater wells 8 times per year and share this data with the MOE. www1.greysauble.on.ca/water-management/water-qualitybenthic-monitoring/

Healthy Septic System Translates To A Healthier Environment

The septic tank whether it operates alone or in connection with a treatment system requires an inspection at least every two years and on average should be pumped every 3-4 years. Visual inspections will indicate when the sludge in the tank is approaching 1/3 full in the first compartment. If sludge in this compartment is greater than 1/3 it needs to be removed to prevent suspended solids from leaving this tank and potentially causing problems further on in the treatment process. This is the time to call to have your septic system pumped. Never enter a septic tank for any reason. Noxious gases are present which are heavier than oxygen. Death may result to anyone who comes in contact with these fumes. Keep water use reasonable. Use appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines that incorporate water conservation in their design. Use water conserving showers heads and low flow toilets. Ensure your taps, toilets etc are not leaking water which will unnecessarily fill up the septic tank. Minimize the use of spas and hot tubs as they contain large volumes of water that may flush solids out of the septic tank. Food waste disposals are not recommended for septic tanks as larger solids are deposited into the septic and do not deteriorate into sludge.
A septic tank is not a garbage disposal. Keep the following items out of the septic tank:

Water softener backwash

Pesticides or herbicides

Paints

Sump pump discharge

Solvents

Eavestrough runoff

Grease, cooking fats and oils

Pumped foundation drainage

Coffee grounds

Cosmetic products

Bones

Industrial cleaners, ie Lye
Cigarette butts

Floor drains

Disposable diapers

Palm oil, large volumes of olive oil

Facial tissue

Excessive use of hair gels, conditioners, anti dandruff

Sanitary pads and tampons or medicated shampoos

Condoms

Carpet or upholstery cleaners

Disposable gloves

Expired or unused medications

Bleach pucks

Disinfectants, germicides

Antibacterial products

Bandages, cotton swabs

Detergents with dry bleach crystals

Peppermint oil

All persons undergoing any form of medical radiation treatments or possessing any forms of irregular immune system response will affect the health of a septic tank.

Signs of Septic System Failure:

– water and sewage from toilets, drains and sinks are backing up into the home

– bathtub, showers and sinks drain very slowly -gurgling sounds in plumbing system

-standing water or damp spots near septic tank or septic fields

-bad odours around the septic tank and septic fields

-bright green, spongy lush grass over the septic tank and septic field

-algal bloom in nearby ponds or lakes

-high levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in water well.
Minor septic system issues can turn into big costly problems. Fixing minor problems and paying maintenance fees of a few hundred dollars every few years is a bargain compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a malfunctioning system.