Buy locally grown food to save transportation fuel and emissions. Buy food with less packaging, and fresh food, which requires less energy to produce than frozen food.

Conservation Authorities Applaud Passage of the Clean Water Act

The Essex Region Conservation Authority, together with Conservation Ontario, applauds the passage of Bill 43, the Clean Water Act, by the Ontario legislature on October 18.

"The Clean Water Act is essential to protecting Ontario's drinking water sources", said Ken Schmidt, General Manager. "With the Act in place, conservation authorities, municipalities, landowners and other stakeholders will work together to ensure municipal sources of drinking water are properly protected."

Since the tragedy at Walkerton in May 2000, Conservation Ontario and its member Authorities have worked with the province and other stakeholders, including municipalities and the farming community, to provide expertise in developing the best approach to source water protection. Source water protection builds on science and studies and links directly to the water management programs Conservation Authorities and their partner municipalities have been doing for years.

Locally, ERCA has a strong track record of partnering with municipal, provincial and federal governments in developing practical solutions to watershed issues, with a particular emphasis on water. Over the past number of months, ERCA has been consulting with municipalities and other stakeholders on the development of Source Protection Plans, and has begun the technical reports that will be required to complete this important work. Protecting local drinking water at its source will require a plan that is developed with significant input from this community.

"There are strong economic, public health and environmental benefits to ensuring clean and plentiful sources of drinking water," said Stan Taylor, Coordinator of Source Water Protection. "We are eager to continue our work with respect to this important new Act."