By PAWS Team

For centuries, the residents of Ancaster knew exactly where to go when they needed a drink: Ancaster Wells. First an artesian spring, then a reliable well, it was a freely flowing source of life for the community. But today, that well of goodwill is being deliberately choked by the very organization entrusted to protect it: the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA).

This isn’t neglect. We believe this is a calculated assault on a community’s right to water—fueled by false narratives, gaslighting, obfuscation, and a blatant disregard for the restrictive covenants that protect this public resource. The HCA isn’t just failing in its duty; it’s actively betraying the public trust.

Digging Up the Past: A Legacy of Generosity

Before bottled water barons and privatization schemes, Ancaster Wells was a lifeline. Generations drank from its pure, unadulterated waters. But the real story begins in the 1960s with Bill Kennedy, a local farmer who had a choice—one that could have made him a millionaire.

When the town of Ancaster was desperate for a reliable water source, Bill Kennedy knew his land held the key. He could have sold it for profit. Instead, he did something extraordinary—he chose community over cash.

When the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) drilled near the original artesian spring—causing it to dry up—Bill ensured that a new artesian well was created for the public. The town of Ancaster acquired it for a single dollar.

This was more than a sale—it was a sacred trust.  In the 1960s, Kennedy had made a handshake agreement to keep the well available for public use. Decades later, just prior to amalgamation, the current Mayor, Bob Wade, solidified this commitment. The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) sought to acquire the land and water, assuring Wade that they would be the best stewards and keep the well in public hands. To reinforce this, Wade ensured that legal and restrictive covenants were put in place before the transfer.

A Deed of Betrayal

1998 the deed is inked, transferring the well’s land to the HCA as public stewards. But this wasn’t an unrestricted gift—it came with binding legal covenants to ensure public access to the well in perpetuity.

The deed clearly states:

1. “The transferee will maintain in perpetuity continued public access to well number 8.”
2. “The transferee will not charge a user fee for public access to the water supply but may install a voluntary contribution box.”
3. “The transferee assumes all responsibility and liability related to the water supply.”

These were not suggestions. These were legal conditions of the transfer. But somewhere along the line, the HCA decided that promises are made to be broken.

A Bureaucratic Shell Game: FOIA Exposes the Cover-Up

In 2017, the HCA’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) made an alarming announcement: Ancaster Wells would close due to an alleged health issue.

No health order was ever produced. Not a single document. Nothing.

Determined to uncover the truth, concerned citizens filed Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests. What they got in return was a bureaucratic shell game of red herrings, obfuscation, and carefully crafted half-truths to justify the closure.

But through sheer persistence, one fact emerged: all roads lead back to the deed. The covenants—deliberately withheld from the public—are the key to unlocking justice. And yet, the HCA still refuses to comply.

A Community Denied, A Right Stolen

Today, the reality at Ancaster Wells is a disgrace. Access is restricted. False claims of health, liability, and cost are used to justify the neglect. Maintenance is deliberately ignored, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of disrepair. And while they claim no fees, they’ve erected barriers that effectively price out the community.

Is this neglect? Or is this deliberate malfeasance?

Are those in charge trying to make the public pay to access public water—or worse, trying to make the well disappear entirely?

This Is About More Than Water: It’s About Social Justice

The fight for Ancaster Wells isn’t just about one well. It’s about a dangerous precedent—one where conservation authorities and bureaucrats trample over public rights with impunity.

Access to clean, affordable water is a fundamental human right. It is not a privilege. It is not a commodity to be granted or withheld at the whim of power-hungry entities.

When public resources are mismanaged or privatized, the most vulnerable suffer first. This isn’t just about water—it’s about power, control, and the growing war on public access.

Time to Flood the System: A Call to Action

The PAWS (People Advocating Water Sustainability) Ratepayers are not backing down.

We refuse to let the HCA bury the truth. Armed with the knowledge of our history and our legal rights, we are demanding transparency, accountability, and an immediate restoration of the well to public access.

The HCA thinks they can wait us out. They think we will forget. They are dead wrong!

Here’s how YOU can fight back:

• Sign the petition: change.org/p/petition-to-save-the-people-s-artesian-water-source-ancaster-wells-freethewell
• Support local activists: Contact PAWSwaterwarrior@gmail.com or visit PAWSRatepayers.org
• Demand accountability from local officials.
• Spread the word—this injustice cannot be ignored.

Water is a right, not a commodity. It’s time to turn the tide and ensure that Ancaster Wells remains free, accessible, and protected.

The HCA may think they can dry up our spirit, but we will flood the system with our outrage until justice prevails.