Features Contamination Water Issues
Ontario approves Cataraqui Source Protection Plan

Nov. 28, 2014, Kingston, Ont. – Ontario has approved a plan meant to strengthen local source-to-tap drinking
water protection in Eastern Ontario.

Nov. 28, 2014, Kingston, Ont. – Ontario has approved a plan meant to strengthen local source-to-tap drinking
water protection in Eastern Ontario.

The Cataraqui Source Protection Plan, developed by local municipal and community
partners on the Cataraqui source protection committee, will take effect April
1, 2015.

Source protection plans are designed to protect the water
quality of the lakes, rivers and sources of underground water that supply
municipal drinking water systems. The plans set out actions to eliminate,
manage or reduce potential risks to drinking water sources.

Actions set out in the Cataraqui plan will:

·     
Create risk-management plans for handling and
storing pesticides, fertilizers, fuel and manure.

·     
Provide information to residents on the proper
care, re-inspection and maintenance of septic systems.

·     
Conduct regular inspections of a sewage storage
tank.

·     
Produce and place road signs to identify drinking
water protection zones.

Protecting drinking water is part of the government's
economic plan for Ontario, said a news release from the provincial government. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by
investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure
like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where
business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to
retire.

The Clean Water Act established 19 local committees across
Ontario. Each committee developed science-based plans that address
contamination risks to the water that supplies municipal drinking water
systems. The Cataraqui source protection area, located at the eastern end of
Lake Ontario and the upper part of the St. Lawrence River, covers about
3,200-square kilometres. This area is home to 210,000 people, with 15
municipalities including Kingston, Brockville and Greater Napanee. Of the 12
municipal residential drinking water systems here, three systems draw water
from a ground water source, such as an aquifer, while the remaining nine draw
water from a surface source, such as Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and
Sydenham Lake.

·  

“I am pleased that our plan has been approved. I thank the
source protection committee and Authority for its commitment and dedication, as
well as the staff at the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority for their
professionalism. I also thank our partners at the ministry, the municipalities,
and the broader public community for their involvement, which helped to achieve
this milestone. The science-based plan will better protect the sources of our
drinking water as Justice O’Connor recommended following the Walkerton tragedy,”
said John Williamson, chair of the Cataraqui source protection committee, in the release.

“Few things are as important to our health and well-being as
having safe water to drink. Protecting the sources that supply our drinking
water is the first step in keeping our drinking water safe and helps ensure we
never have another Walkerton incident,” Said Glen R. Murray, minister of the environment and climate change.