Regulation & Guidelines

New oversight of ground water taking shape in Sonoma County, Calif.

Sonoma Valley, CA – The new order of ground water regulation is just starting to come into shape and will take several years to implement, with still-undefined costs, monitoring and limits that may fall primarily on rural well owners, including residents and farmers. The Sonoma Index-Tribune reports. | READ MORE

California ground water agencies begin to take shape

California – With a June 30 deadline approaching, agencies, farmers and others in affected California groundwater basins are working to finalize the formation of locally controlled ground water sustainability agencies, which are required under the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Ag Alert reports. | READ MORE

BCGWA to update ground water regulation handbook

This year, the British Columbia Ground Water Association, in partnership with GeoExchange BC, is endeavouring to update the BC Ground Water Protection Regulation Handbook to reflect the changes to the Groundwater Protection Regulation.

Abandoned wells identified as threats in southwestern Ontario county

Simcoe, Ont. – The public works department of Norfolk County in Ontario will work with affected property owners now that the county has a source-water protection plan in place. The first order of business is examining active and abandoned water, gas and oil wells in the Delhi, Ont., area. The Simcoe Reformer reports. | READ MORE

P.E.I. water act consultations begin in October

Charlottetown, P.E.I. – Prince Edward Island will hold water act public consultations in seven communities beginning in October, says Minister of Communities, Land and Environment Robert Mitchell. CBC News reports. | READ MORE

B.C. government seeks input on proposed water policies

Victoria – The B.C. government is seeking input from the public on the proposed regulations and policies relating to the Water Sustainability Act until Sept. 8. READ MORE

Islanders invited to participate in creation of Water Act

July 10, 2015, Charlottetown – The government of Prince Edward Island is inviting all Islanders to participate in the creation of legislation to protect water quality and quantity now and into the future.

Community group makes waves about Nestlé water-taking proposal

June 2, 2015, Elora, Ont. – While Friends of Elora Water have expressed concern with the Nestlé Waters proposal to purchase a local property and take over an existing water-taking permit, the company states it is still in the “investigative portion” of the process. The Wellington Advertiser reports. | READ MORE

NGWA seeks ANSI standard for pumping systems

May 8, 2015, Westerville, OH – The National Ground Water Association is looking for people to form a consensus body for developing a proposed ground water pumping systems standard to include guidance on performance requirements for pumps used in water wells.

India ground water policy draws criticism

March 20, 2015, Panaji, India – The approval of Goa Ground Water Policy, which requires well owners to register water sources and install meters, has drawn criticism from stakeholders who allege the mandate will affect their businesses, The Times of India reports. | READ MORE

Whistler budgets for new Water Sustainability Act

March 12, 2015, Whistler, B.C. – The Resort Municipality of Whistler is budgeting $185,000 to 2019 to deal with any costs associated with the province's new Water Sustainability Act, Pique reports. | READ MORE

Ontario approves South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe source protection plan

March 2, 2015, South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe, Ont. – Ontario has approved the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Plan to strengthen local source-to-tap drinking water protection.

Nestlé B.C. water deal too cheap, says NDP

Feb. 24, 2015, Vancouver, B.C. – The B.C. government is standing by new regulations that will make companies pay a small amount to access the province's ground water, despite criticism from the Opposition, CBC News reports. | READ MORE

Source water protection focus of group’s ‘call to action’

Feb. 18, 2015, Westerville, OH – Changes to water quality and quantity challenge the United States to redouble its efforts to protect its water resources, said the Source Water Collaborative in a recent report.

Village landlords speak out on mandatory well water exams, requirements

Feb. 13, 2015, Ottawa – A senior couple who are village landlords recently spoke out on what they feel are onerous Ontario Ministry of Environment requirements and regulations governing the operation of their drinking-water well. The Ottawa Citizen reports. | READ MORE