Retired hydrogeologist from Wingham is new environmental representative on drinking water source protection committee

New committee member Joy Rutherford represents environmental sector

A retired hydrogeology geoscientist from Wingham is the newest member of a committee working to protect drinking water sources in the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield areas.

Joy Rutherford has been named the new Environment Sector representative on the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee (SPC). She was appointed in February 2025 and is to take part in her first committee meeting on March 26, 2025.

Matt Pearson is SPC Chair. He said Rutherford will bring a range of valuable skills to the committee table. “Joy’s combination of strong interpersonal skills and technical expertise will benefit the committee’s work greatly,” he said. “Her links to the environmental community will enhance the connection of the committee’s work to this sector.”

Joy Rutherford has lived and worked in Huron County for many years. She has experience in projects related to municipal and private wells and groundwater monitoring and research. As a volunteer, she has been a contributor to Water Wise events educating local private well owners about testing their water, protecting their source of water, and maintaining their wells. She is also a member of the Huron County Clean Water Project Review Committee.

The Wingham resident has Professional Geoscientist Certification (P.Geo) and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) in Physical Geography from the University of Waterloo. Before she retired, she worked as a Senior Hydrogeologist and Project Manager at R. J. Burnside and Associates Ltd. in Wingham between 2006 and 2021. Before that, she was a Hydrogeologist and Partner with Duncan and Rutherford Environmental in Wingham.

In addition to her extensive hydrogeological experience, she also has experience in dairy farm management with the family-owned Fairlaine Farms. Apart from her work and volunteer experience, she is an avid piper and instructor with Teeswater Highlanders Pipe and Drum Band.

The new source protection committee member said she appreciates the opportunity to work with the other committee members, as she feels it is important to give back to the community.

“I also remember the weekend the Walkerton water supply was so tragically impacted,” she said. “I know the importance of a safe, reliable groundwater supply, whether a municipal well or a private well. It is a resource that cannot be easily replaced.”

The vacancy on the committee was advertised in November 2024. The committee seat became vacant upon the retirement, from the committee, of environment sector representative John Graham. He provided dedicated service to the committee for almost 10 years, from 2015 until his term ended at the end of 2024. SPC Chair Matt Pearson thanked Graham for his years of service.

“John has been a wonderful asset to the committee,” Pearson said. “He shared his knowledge of drinking water treatment and protection and made the committee stronger. I would like to thank him for his decade of dedication to the committee and to safe, clean drinking water in our region.”

To learn more about source protection and the SPC visit the Source Protection Committee web page.