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Protecting Water

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Home/Living Here/Water and Wastewater/Protecting Water

water pouring into cupped hands

Protecting our sources of drinking water from contamination helps to ensure clean water for now and in the future. The Water Resources Protection Master Plan and Chapter 8 of the Regional Official Plan details our approaches to keeping water clean, areas to protect, activities to manage and the programs to deliver.

Help keep water clean
At your urban home
  • 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 your pharmacy
  • Properly store and dispose of chemicals, oils and paints

At your rural home

  • Properly maintain private wells and plug and seal unused wells
  • Sign up for reminders to test your water
  • Properly maintain septic systems

Around the farm

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

On industrial properties

  • 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
Source Protection Plan and Clean Water Act

The Source Protection Plan (SPP) protects municipal wells and surface water intakes from specific activities that may pose a threat to drinking water.

The Ontario government passed the Clean Water Act in 2006 to protect drinking water as part of its multi-barrier strategy to safeguard human health and the environment. The Clean Water Act established a process for developing local, watershed-based Source Protection Plans. The Grand River Source Protection Plan includes the polices for the Region of Waterloo.

Watch this video on what a Source Protection Plan is or read Source Protection Plan: answers to your questions.

Does the Source Protection Plan apply to my property?

Use the TAPS online tool following these instructions on how to use TAPS to find out if Source Protection Plan policies apply to your property or a property you plan to purchase.

Source Protection Plan policies may apply when:

  • applying for a building permit or planning approval in a source protection area
  • there is an activity of concern in a source protection area
Building permits and planning approval applications

Building permits and planning approval applications for source protection areas are only granted after screening for potential threats to drinking water. Some permits and applications may be refused or may first require a Risk Management Plan.

To submit your application you must first find out if Source Protection Plan policies apply. Use the TAPS online tool following these instructions on how to use TAPS to find out.

Properties requiring the negotiation of a Risk Management Plan should first contact the Risk Management Official to confirm actions you need to take and to discuss the process, which may include the completion of a Risk Management Plan worksheet. The worksheet includes practices that will help to reduce the risk of the activity to our drinking water supplies.

Watch this video on Notice of Source Protection Plan Compliance or read Source Protection Plan: planning and building permit approvals.

Negotiating a Risk Management Plan

A Risk Management Plan is a legally binding agreement between you and the Region of Waterloo's Risk Management Official. It is a site-specific negotiated agreement which identifies the best management practices you will use to protect our water supply from the activities occurring on your property.

There are two ways you will know if you need a Risk Management Plan:

  • if you are located in a source protection area and already doing one of the activities which requires a risk management plan you will be contacted directly by the Risk Management Official. The property owner does not need to do anything until contacted by the Risk Management Official. There are many properties in the Region that require Risk Management Plans and it will take several years to reach every one.
  • through the building permit and planning approval application process. Go to the Building Permits and Planning Approval Applications drop down on this page for information on how to find out if Source Protection Plan policies apply and, if required, resources to negotiate a Risk Management Plan.

Watch this video on negotiating a Risk Management Plan or read Source Protection Plan: negotiating your Risk Management Plan.

Sewer Use By-law and industrial monitoring enforcement

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

Spills response

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

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 Mannheim and/or Brantford drinking water treatment plants
Brownfield sites

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.

Other resources
  • Well Interference Complaints
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