Protecting Water

• Limit winter salt use with these snow and ice clearing tips
• Set your water softener to the correct water hardness
• Return unused and expired medication to a participating pharmacy
• Properly store and dispose of chemicals, oils and paints
• Clean with green alternatives and natural options whenever possible
• Keep chemicals away from storm drains that connect directly with the local waterway

• Maintain private wells and sign up for reminders to test your water
• Plug and seal unused private wells
• Maintain your septic system. Have it inspected and pumped regularly.
• Inspect home heating oil tanks regularly. Upgrade old tanks, use drip trays and install alarms to identify leaks.
• Reduce use of fertilizers and pesticides. Apply and store away from wells and waterways.
• Reduce runoff and erosion near waterways. Maintain a strip of mixed vegetation near the shoreline.

• Follow best management practices for nutrients
• Learn if funding is available through the Rural Water Quality Program
• Read Stories from the Field to learn how farmers are protecting water quality

• Properly handle and store chemicals
• Develop and train staff on a spills response plan
• Include winter maintenance best practices on use of salt and de-icers
• Keep pollutants out of sanitary and storm sewers

The Ontario government passed the Clean Water Act in 2006 to protect water supplies from contamination by developing source protection plans. The Source Protection Plan (SPP) protects municipal wells and surface water intakes from specific activities that may pose a threat to drinking water. The Grand River Source Protection Plan protects municipal drinking water sources in Waterloo Region.

Learn more about the Source Protection Plan and how it might affect you.

1. Why it is important for owners to properly drain water from pools, hot tubs and spas?
   • Water from pools, hot tubs and spas contains chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, salt and algaecides that can be harmful to the natural environment and our drinking water supply.
2. What are your responsibilities as a homeowner when planning to discharge from a pool, hot tub or spa? 
   • Ensure that the discharge from your pool, hot tub or spa does not result in an impact to the natural environment or other surrounding properties.
3. Who do I contact to report a spill or improper discharge of water from pools, hot tubs and spas? 
   • To report a spill, contact the Region’s Service First Call Centre at 519-575-4400. Click here for more information on spills and who to contact.

How to drain pool, hot tub and spa water:

If you have further questions regarding proper disposal of your pool, hot tub or spa water, contact the Region’s Environmental Enforcement & Laboratory Services at 519-650-8260 (business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or eels@regionofwaterloo.ca.

The Sewer Use By-law 1-90 regulates and controls discharge of water and wastewater into the sanitary and/or storm sewer distribution system in Waterloo Region. The bylaw protects the wastewater distribution system, the wastewater treatment plant operation and ultimately water quality of the Grand River.

The Region's new Sewer Use By-law 21-036 takes effect Jan. 1, 2022 and will replace the previous Sewer Use By-law 1-90 and its amendments. Applicants can apply for a permit under Sewer Use By-Law 21-036 starting in September 2021.

Report a spill immediately if you witness a spill or suspect one has occurred or is about to occur. Quick actions can reduce clean-up time and protect the local environment. A spill is the release of a substance that is harmful to the environment into the sewer or the environment. This may include oil, fuel, chemicals or pesticides.

The Region of Waterloo provides 24-hour emergency response to environmental spills. Responsibilities include:

• A prompt investigation of reported spills
• Containment or cleanup measures to minimize damage to the natural environment
• Notifying affected parties if a chemical spill could affect the Region of Waterloo Mannheim and/or Brantford drinking water treatment plants

Look for Drinking Water Protection Area signs on regional roads and within Wellhead Protection Areas. These signs are a reminder we all have a role to play to protect this important resource.

Each municipal supply well is in a Wellhead Protection Area. A Wellhead Protection Area is the capture zone for each of the 120+ supply wells. The capture zone includes the length of time and path groundwater takes to reach the well.

The I Am Groundwater blog 9 actions you can take as a groundwater protector includes ideas on how you can help.

Drinking water protection zone road sign

Wellhead protection area illustration (image credit: Conservation Ontario)

The Potable Groundwater Criteria Use document outlines requirements of the developer for the clean up of groundwater on a brownfield site. Learn more about planning and development services and incentives for brownfield sites.

• Policy and Procedures for Responding To Groundwater Interference Complaints
• I am groundwater blog