Meeting - April 16, 2024
Concerned Walkerton Citizens
In May 2000, water from a contaminated well entered Walkerton’s drinking water, making more than 2000 people ill and killing seven. Davidson spoke about the ubiquitous water towers in small towns, symbols of welcome, and said the tragedy exploded the myth that this kind of tragedy couldn’t happen in Canada. Said Davidson, “The environmental alarm clock is running down and we're hitting the snooze button. The government is doing it, and the public is doing it too, because we're all taking water for granted.”
The contamination came after a 50-year rain event that caused significant flooding over a May weekend. People began to get sick by mid-week, and a boil water advisory was issued on the following Saturday. But many people didn’t receive it, and continued to drink the water. Streets were empty of children – many ill, others kept inside to avoid secondary infection – but the hospital was bursting at the seams and the town was flooded with journalists. Many citizens were airlifted to other regional hospitals – helicopters were a constant presence.
At the Grand Bend Rotary Autumn Indulgence event held on Saturday, October 1 2022, President-Elect Kerry Teskey announced an extraordinary gift to the community from Peter and Esther Warner. Peter, a charter member of the Rotary Club, has served the Grand Bend community in many ways, including his role in founding the Rotary Trail. On receiving a standing ovation after the President-Elect’s announcement, Peter admits to feeling humbled by the response and outpouring of support for the project.