Protecting Water

How you can help keep water clean

At your urban home:

• Limit winter salt use with these snow and ice clearing tips
• Only soften your hot water and 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

At your rural home:

• 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.

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 how farmers are protecting water quality

On industrial properties:

• Properly handle and store chemicals
• Develop and train staff on a spills response plan
• Follow a complete winter maintenance plan that includes salt management
• Keep pollutants out of sanitary and storm sewers

Source Protection Plan and Clean Water Act

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.

Draining pool, hot tub and spa water

It’s important for homeowners to properly drain water from pools, hot tubs and spas. That’s because this water contains chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, salt and algaecides that can be harmful to the natural environment and our drinking water supply.

Homeowners have a responsibility to ensure the discharge from their pool, hot tub or spa does not impact the natural environment or surrounding properties. Read below or the Around The Region blog to learn more.

Why is it 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.

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.

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 (Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TTY) at 519-575-4608). Additional information on spills prevention and response available on the Region of Waterloo report a spill web page.

How to drain pool, hot tub and spa water of:

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

Sewer Use By-law and industrial monitoring enforcement

The Sewer Use By-law 21-036 regulates and controls discharge of water and wastewater into the sanitary and/or storm sewer distribution system in Waterloo Region. The by-law protects the wastewater distribution system, the wastewater treatment plant operation and ultimately water quality of the Grand River. You can use this online form to apply for a permit under the Sewer Use By-Law.

Spills response

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

Drinking Water Protection Zone road signs

Drinking Water Protection Zone signs are a reminder we all have a role to play to protect this important resource.

Look for Drinking Water Protection Zone signs on regional roads and within Wellhead Protection Areas. Or use the Conservation Ontario map for locations throughout Ontario.

Each municipal supply well is in a Wellhead Protection Area. A Wellhead Protection Area is the capture zone that provides groundwater to the supply well. The capture zone includes the length of time and path groundwater takes to reach the well. In Waterloo Region, 120+ municipal wells supply the water we drink.

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

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