In mid-March, Union Water Supply System (UWSS), announced a one-year moratorium to any new large service water applications, essentially halting new greenhouse construction in southwestern Ontario. 'The recent significant increase in water demand is attributed to moderate increase in residential growth but mainly due to significant greenhouse growth in Kingsville and Leamington. Further, some of the water demand increase is likely related to the greenhouse crop switch over from food crop to cannabiswhich appears to be a more water intensive crop,' states the UWSS report, dated March 11, 2021.It might seem drastic, considering that Essex County has the largest concentration of greenhouses in North America, but one local mayor seems optimistic. Nelson Santos, who is also chairman of the UWSS says the 12-month moratorium, set to end in March 2022, will not stop permits already in place.
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