Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Along with the recent addition of a pumper that carries twice as much water, another change has been made to improve fire response in the countryside. Most structure fires in the rural area require at least three tankers to create an efficient shuttle to provide water in the absence of fire hydrants. New “Automatic Aid” arrangements are being put in place with Grey Highlands and with Shelburne fire services that will get trucks rolling 10 to 15 minutes earlier.
