Source Water Protection and the Clean Water Act

The Essex Region Conservation Authority is continuing to move forward in completing the technical research required to develop Source Water Protection Plans. Data regarding surface and ground water quality conditions, land use, drinking water systems, well sites, soil types, and other important information are currently being analyzed and gaps assessed. Concurrently, the proposed Clean Water Act passed second reading in April, and the Standing Committee is expected to announce dates to receive public input in the near future.

The purpose of the proposed act is to protect existing and future sources of municipal drinking water. Stopping contaminants from getting into sources of drinking water-lakes, rivers and aquifers - is the first step in ensuring safe drinking water. Clean, safe water is everyone's responsibility, and the proposed Clean Water Act would give us the tools we need to develop and implement local plans to protect the sources of water we drink.

Developing Source Protection Plans will be a community responsibility. Municipalities and conservation authorities would work very closely together at every stage of the planning process. It is anticipated that conservation authorities would facilitate planning across watersheds, and provide support to local municipalities in protecting their drinking water. Municipalities will sit on the local Source Protection Authority and there will also be some municipal representation on the Source Protection Committee, which is anticipated to be formed after the legislation is finalized, probably near the end of this year. There is also a significant role for stakeholders and the general public in the development of Source Protection Plans, as ensuring adequate supplies of clean, safe drinking water for present and future needs is critically important, and requires a plan that meets the needs of our local community.