Protecting Water

• business programs and resources
• residential programs and resources

Protecting our drinking water sources from contamination helps to ensure clean water for our growing community.

• We provide 24-hour emergency response to environmental spills. Report a spill immediately if you witness a spill or suspect one has occurred or is about to occur.
• Source Water Protection Policies protect municipal wells and surface water intakes from activities that may pose a threat to drinking water 
• Sewer Use By-law 21-036 regulates and controls discharge of water and wastewater into the sanitary and/or storm sewer systems
• Chapter 8 of the Regional Official Plan contains policies for the protection and conservation of the Region’s drinking-water resources

Business programs and resources

Agriculture and farming

• Source Water Protection plans on the farm (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
• Soil test manager (Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association)
• Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
• Landowner resources (Grand River Conservation Authority)
• Rural Water Quality Program grant program for Waterloo Region landowners

Brownfield site development

• Potable Groundwater Criteria Use document outlines requirements of the developer for the clean up of groundwater on a brownfield site
• Planning and development services and incentives for brownfield sites

Chemical and fuel handling

• Guidelines for environmental protection measures at chemical and waste storage facilities (The Province of Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks)
• Worksheet to assist with designing your risk management plan
• Infographic with actions to take to prevent chemical spills
• Poster to display with information of who to contact in case of a spill
  • Download PDF file to print
  • Order printed copies

Chemical spills response

Report a spill immediately if you witness or suspect a spill has occurred or is about to occur.

We provide 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 and notifying affected parties if a chemical spill could affect the Region of Waterloo Mannheim and/or Brantford drinking water treatment plants.

Sewer Use By-law and industrial monitoring enforcement

Business must follow the by-law and apply for a Sewer Use By-law permit.

Sewer Use By-law 21-036 regulates and controls the discharge of water and wastewater into the sanitary and/or storm sewer distribution system within Waterloo Region. The by-law protects the wastewater treatment system and water quality of the Grand River.

Winter maintenance and parking lots

• Beneficial practices to use less salt and maintain winter safety
• Free resources to support your winter maintenance plan

Residential programs and resources

Heating oil storage

• Inspect home heating oil tanks regularly
• Upgrade old tanks, use drip trays and install alarms to identify leaks

Household hazardous waste

• Consider cleaning with green alternatives and natural options whenever possible
• Properly dispose of household hazardous waste

Pools and hot tubs

• Homeowners are responsible for the proper discharge of water from their pool or hot tub
• Discharging chemicals to storm sewers or a waterway is considered an environmental spill and those responsible can be held accountable
• Discharging options for your pool and hot tub

Private wells

• Water testing and reminder notifications (Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services)
• How well is your well fact sheet (Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services)
• Video (4:06m): Upgrading or decommissioning your well (Grand River Conservation Authority)
• Private rural water supplies (The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
• Wells on your property (The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks)
• Policy and Procedures for Responding To Groundwater Interference Complaints (Region of Waterloo)

Salt: driveways and sidewalks

Visit our Salt Management page for more information. Reducing salt use for snow and ice clearing include:

• Shovel or plow the snow as soon as you can before it packs down and turns to ice
• If ice forms, break up with a steel chopper and clear away with a shovel
• Add traction with sand, grit or non-clumping kitty litter
• Colder than -10 C? Salt does not work. Switch to sand for traction.

Salt: water softeners

Visit our Water Softeners page for more information. Tips for managing water softener salt include:

• Only soften your home's hot water. Our Water Softener Plumbing Rebate program has information on the benefits of softening hot water only and funding to help with the costs of the required plumbing change.
• Set the water softener to the correct water hardness so only the required amount of salt is used
• Choose an efficient softener with the NSF 44 certification. There are also newer, non-salt technologies. This study follows 18 households with salt-free conditioning units.
• Check your water softener for leaks and that it isn't regenerating too often

Septic systems

• Caring for your septic system fact sheet (Region of Waterloo)
• Resources for homeowners (Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre)
• Septic Systems resources (Province of Ontario)
• Septic system checklist (Province of Ontario)
• Video: septic system maintenance (Quinte Conservation)
• Ontario Building Code