In a community situated on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula, both residents relying on wells and those connected to the town’s water reservoir are facing challenges, but the mayor assures that efforts are being made to resolve the issues. Since summer, individuals in Torbay linked to the main water source, North Pond, have experienced intermittent water advisories, urging them to conserve water and adhere to boil water notices. Longtime resident Nikki Grouchy expressed her dissatisfaction with the water quality, describing it as unpleasant with a noticeable odor and discoloration. She highlighted her lack of trust in the water to the extent that she refrains from giving it to her pet cat.
Residents on well water systems also have concerns about potential contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic chemicals. To combat these challenges, Mayor Craig Scott disclosed plans to develop Great Pond into a new municipal water source, aiming to expand the number of homes receiving municipal water services. Federal funding of $26.8 million has been allocated to Torbay for this project, with approximately $9 million remaining for the town to contribute. To put this into perspective, Torbay’s 2026 budget totaled $12.2 million.
Scott emphasized the necessity of establishing a new water supply due to the contamination of the previous backup supply at South Pond by PFAS. While there is no set timeline for the project, efforts are underway to draft a request for proposals. Additionally, the town is working on installing a water treatment facility at North Pond to enhance water quality. Concerns about water quality were echoed by resident Dalton Tapper, who highlighted increased sediment causing water discoloration and subsequent boil water directives, affecting residents adversely.
Tapper, who resides near the town’s water reservoir, opts to purchase bottled water due to taste preferences and concerns about water advisories. Apart from water quality issues, there have been legal actions against the federal government regarding PFAS contamination in well water sources, allegedly stemming from firefighting foam used at the St. John’s International Airport. The mayor noted a growing number of individuals believed to be impacted by PFAS contamination, raising concerns about property values and the desirability of moving to Torbay.