r instance, according to the provincial records,the number of pork producers has dropped from 93,000 to about 5,500 in 1951. Pigproduction has become more concentrated as the number of producers has declined, bringingwith it the potential for large-scale environmental problems. A pig farm with 3,600 animalsproduces as much excrement as a city of 15,000 people, creating a huge potential for watercontamination with proper controls. The biggest difficulty with this type of intensivefarming is that the capacity of the livestock to produce manure that far exceeds the ability ofthe surrounding lands to absorb it all safely as fertilizer. (Globe and Mail, 24 Jan.)Toronto Star Report: Safe WaterThe Toronto Star, unlike the Globe and Mail, presented its problem for safewater more on what type of services will run the water systems in Ontario, instead oflegislations and bills being passed. Private firms may soon bid for the water services inOntario. Many assume that the province has already decided that privatization is the way togo. Premier Mike Harris said his government is considering how to get more privateinvolvement. He said it might lead to larger, more sophisticated, more professionallyoperated facilities. (Toronto Star 29 Jan.)The basic interests of consumers is a safe and reliable source of drinking water. However, the incentive that drives large corporations is making profits. (Toronto Star 28Jan.) Privatization, in Toronto, would give cheaper and more efficient systems. (TorontoStar 29 Jan.)At the moment, the large firm companies run the main system and do the corebusiness. The private companies are the ones that do the major construction, repairs andmaintenance. The plants need to stay in good shape. They need constant maintenance andupgrading. The pipes, especially the ones that carry the water, need hundreds of millions ofdollars worth of improvements--mostly relining or replacement, and the removal of leadconnector...
