News Water Issues
Water well improvement program aims to protect groundwater quality in South Bruce County, Ont.

South Bruce, Ont. – Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization in southern Ontario have teamed up to offer a water well improvement program that will financially support landowners in their efforts to protect groundwater.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has donated $50,000 to directly fund water well improvement projects.

“SVCA is committed to partnerships which allow the community to contribute to the protection of our shared natural resources; we are grateful for the financial support provided by NWMO so that the Water Well Improvement Program could be created,” said Dan Gieruszak, chair of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA).

Managed and delivered by SVCA, the Water Well Improvement Program will provide funding to properly decommission and upgrade water wells, which can be a direct conduit of contaminants to groundwater. The program launched on Nov. 23, with landowners eligible to receive funding retroactively for completed projects. It is expected to last to the end of December 2021.

“The NWMO is delighted to partner with the SVCA on this new program, which will help protect and improve water quality throughout the region,” said Cherie Leslie, senior engagement advisor, Southern Ontario, with the NWMO. “We are committed to protecting people and the environment, including water resources, and are proud to support important initiative like this.”

The program was created to address the gap in incentive programs in SVCA’s jurisdiction and direct support to landowners interested in protecting the sources of drinking water, as 40 municipal drinking water systems draw water from groundwater.

Program guidelines and application materials for the Water Well Improvement Program can be found on the SVCA website at svca.on.ca. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Brittany Taylor, Water Resources Technician, at 519-369-4475 with any questions or assistance with completing the application form.