Representatives from Cooke Aquaculture appeared before Saint Andrews council this week to seek support.
Cooke and its subsidiary, Kelly Cove Salmon, are proposing a post-smolt recirculating aquaculture facility in the Champlain Industrial Park in nearby Bayside.
The $35-million facility would allow Kelly Cove to supply larger salmon smolt to its marine farms, according to Joel Richardson, vice-president of public relations for Cooke.
“It’s been proven that the larger you grow them before you transfer them to the marine farms, they’re a lot less susceptible to dealing with fish health issues, it reduces their time at sea and ultimately there are reduced days going to market,” Richardson told council Monday night.
Kelly Cove is seeking permission from the Department of Environment and Local Government to drill three test wells in the Chamcook Lake watershed to determine if there is adequate groundwater for the facility.
The department invited the town, which relies on Chamcook Lake for its water supply, to submit comments as part of the approval process for the test wells.
Marc Sorensen, an engineer with Sorensen Engineering in Saint Andrews, said Cooke wants is seeking to use groundwater from the watershed rather than water from the lake itself.
That is because water from the lake has variable quality and temperature, and has the risk of carrying viruses and bacteria which could negatively affect the facility, he said.
“These types of facilities use intensive recycling systems, which continually clean and reuse the water, so it’s important that the supplied water is the best quality and is as consistent as possible,” said Sorensen.
Officials noted that the impact on the town’s water supply would be “minuscule” with the facility only needing to use 91 imperial gallons per minute.
But despite assurances from the company, several councillors expressed concern about the facility’s impact on the watershed.
“I think our questions will be answered after these tests wells are done but I still am concerned because it is our only water for Saint Andrews,” said Deputy Mayor Kate Agaki.
Councillors Marc Blanchard and Jamie Hirtle both raised concerns about how climate change and future rainfall amounts could affect water levels in the watershed.
But Coun. Steve Neil said there is no reason why the town should not be in support of the test wells.
“I don’t think giving them our support to go ahead with the test wells necessarily derails anything moving forward. We still have lots of opportunity to question the project,” said Neil.
Coun. Lee Heenan expressed similar views, saying there is no reason why the town cannot ask the province for certain conditions once the test results come back.
“I also see it as a plus,” said Heenan. “If we can find out for free that there’s a massive amount of underground water in the Town of Saint Andrews on the peninsula then we could have a bit of a gold mine there.”
Council voted to send a letter to the province supporting the test wells provided they have a chance to view the results and give more input.