Notice of Study Completion

New Well Supply – Village of Tavistock

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study

Oxford County has completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study to explore potential opportunities for a new well supply to improve the security and supply of drinking water in the Village of Tavistock in the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock.

About the study

The Village of Tavistock currently receives water from three wells located at the same site in central Tavistock. This study explored opportunities for an additional well location to serve community water needs.

Two Public Consultation Centres were held that identified the preferred site for a new well on Hope Street West (see map). The preferred design concept includes a new well with decentralized (on-site) treatment and an equalization water storage tank at the rear of the property. The on-site storage configuration and site footprint will be further refined during detailed design.

Oxford County intends to start detailed design in 2024 and proceed to construction, subject to obtaining all necessary approvals and funding.

The Class EA Study was completed in accordance with the planning and design process for Schedule C projects as outlined in the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Document (2000, as amended in 2007, 2011, and 2015) in effect at the time of initiating this project, which is an approved process under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act.

Public comment period

An Environmental Study Report (ESR) summarizing the Class EA Study process and findings is available online for a 30-day comment period starting May, 30, 2024. The study document is available on Oxford County’s website and on Speak Up, Oxford!: www.speakup.oxfordcounty.ca/new-well-supply-tavistock. 

        Download the Environmental Study Report (May 2024)

Interested persons may provide written comments by mail or email regarding the ESR between May 30, 2024 and June 28, 2024 to: 

A.R. (Tony) Lotimer
Oxford County
21 Reeve Street, P.O. Box 1614
Woodstock, Ontario  N4S 7Y3 
water@oxfordcounty.ca

In the event that there are outstanding concerns, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act requiring a higher level of study (i.e., requiring an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g., require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.

Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name for the Ministry. The request should be sent in writing by mail or email to:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2J3
minister.mecp@ontario.ca

And:

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor
Toronto ON, M4V 1P5
EABDirector@ontario.ca 

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.