The construction of wind turbines in Chatham-Kent will continue as council rejects the motion for a moratorium.
During Monday's council meeting, Chatham-Kent Councillor Michael Bondy looked for support in asking the province to pause the wind turbine project within the municipality.
Several people wearing Water Wells First t-shirts stepped up to the podium to express their concerns that the construction and vibrations made by wind turbines may be the cause of their murky well water. Adding that people living in North-Kent could soon face the same fate those in Dover township are dealing with.
After hearing what locals had to say, the motion was put to a vote and then reconsidered - but it still failed with a nine to seven vote.
Bondy says although it isn't scientifically proven that the wind turbines are the cause of murky well water, he's still disappointed by the outcome.
"I felt that the municipality should have endorsed the motion," says Bondy. "I felt it would have shown that the municipality stands in solidarity with the people that are having incredible problems with well water."
Bondy adds although the motion failed, it did bring more recognition of the problem.
"I am hopeful that this is the beginning of a stronger movement," says Bondy.
Despite the failure of Bondy's motion, Councillor Jeff Wesley presented an alternate motion to attend the environmental review tribunal to further discuss the issue.
That motion passed unanimously.
Wesley says he wanted to have a plan in place going into council as a back-up to Bondy's motion.
"There's definitely something going on with well water," says Wesley. "I wanted to make sure there was at least something for them so I developed a plan [to bring these issues to the environmental tribunal]."
However, Bondy says although he appreciates Councillor Wesley bringing up the motion, it has little effect since their legal council was going to attend the tribunal anyways.
The environmental review tribunal will be held at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre at 10am.
