Wind-farm experts face turbulence as residents seek answers on water wells

We have concluded that the construction, the pile driving activities are not the cause of the complaints.

CHATHAM A meeting to update residents about the progress of the North Kent Wind farm on Thursday night didn’t take long to become heated.

Many residents wanted to know what will be done regarding complaints about 16 water wells that have gone bad during the construction phase of the project.

The mood quickly went from angry to hostile when Matthew Alexander, a hydrologist with Aecon, the consulting firm hired to investigate well complaints, stated water samples collected have shown the quality is the same as or, in some cases, better than the quality of baseline samples taken before construction began.

“We’re not that stupid,” came a shout from the crowd.

When investigating a water well complaint, Alexander said they consider the construction schedule, where work is occurring in proximity to a complaint and the timing of pile driving work.

“We have concluded that the construction, the pile driving activities are not the cause of the complaints (about the wells),” he said.

Storer Boone — a geo-technical engineer with Golder Associates, the firm that did an extensive report surrounding the effect of vibrations — said the effect these vibrations might have on water wells would be inconsequential.

Boone said the measurements show vibrations caused by a vehicle driving by or the pump kicking on are far greater than what can be detected from the pile driving.

Peter Hensel, a member of the citizens group Water Wells First, said a retired well driller told him he has never seen this many water wells having problems in the same area during the 40 years he was in the business.

Two residents at the meeting said their water wells have gone bad during the construction.

Jody Law, project developer with Pattern Energy working in co-operation with Samsung Renewable Energy, said all the pile driving has been completed and the 34 turbines are anticipated to be commissioned by February.