Adam Prudhomme
Editor
A malevolent ‘water bandit’ is threatening to destroy the good will being done by the volunteers at the Greater Napanee Community Garden.
For the second time in two weeks, an unknown person or persons has entered the garden late at night and emptied the water tanks and disconnected all the irrigation hoses. The tanks, which serve as the only water supply available at the garden located at 517 County Rd 8, are generously filled by Greater Napanee Emergency Service’s fire department at no cost. Each time the tanks are maliciously drained, it’s more time the department has to spend filling the tanks.
Making matters worse is the ongoing August drought, which already has taken a toll on the crops.
“As hard as we work, we’re just having the worst time helping anything look good,” said Susan Withers, one of the Community Garden volunteers. “Everything is drained and everything’s disconnected.”
The tomato plants are wilting due to drought and lack of water. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
By the looks of things the culprits aren’t stealing the water, rather just draining the tanks for the sake of it.
The gardens are completely run by a small group of volunteers with support from a handful of community groups. In the fall the vegetables grown there will be donated to the Napanee Salvation Army food bank to help those in need have access to healthy food.
Lennox and Addington OPP have been informed of the ongoing mischief and will be increasing their patrols of the area. The owner of the donated property has also upgraded the security surrounding the area.
Anyone with information on the matter can contact the Lennox and Addington OPP.