Protecting Water

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 (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness)
Water management in agriculture (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness)
Soil test manager (Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association)
Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness)
Landowner grants and stewardship resources (Grand River Conservation Authority)

Brownfield site development

Potable Groundwater Criteria Use outlines requirements of the developer for the cleanup of groundwater on a brownfield site (Region of Waterloo)
Planning and development services and incentives for brownfield sites (Region of Waterloo)

Chemical and fuel handling

Visit our chemical and fuel handling page for resources to support your spills prevention and response plan.

Chemical spills response

Report a spill immediately if you witness or suspect a spill has occurred or is about to occur. Our Environmental Enforcement team provides 24-hour emergency response to environmental spills.

Environmental record search request

Request an environmental record search to obtain information from the Hydrogeology and Source Water Protection Urban Threats Inventory database. Fee applies.

Sewer Use By-law and industrial monitoring enforcement

Business must follow the Sewer Use By-law 21-036 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

Join other businesses taking steps to use less salt without compromising winter safety with the help of our salt management tips and free resources.

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 pools and hot tubs. Discharging chemicals to storm sewers or a waterway is considered an environmental spill and those responsible can be held accountable.

Private wells

Private groundwater wells are the responsibility of the well owner. This include water testing, maintenance and decommissioning of the well when it is no longer in use.

Water testing and reminder notifications (Region of Waterloo Public Health)
Abandoned and unused wells (Region of Waterloo Public Health)
Best management practices for water wells (Ontario Federation of Agriculture)
Policy and procedures for responding to groundwater interference complaints (Region of Waterloo)

Salt: driveways and sidewalks

Snow and ice clearing tips to help keep salt out of groundwater.

Salt: water softeners

Water softeners flush salty backwash water down the drain that goes to our wastewater treatment plants and eventually to our waterways. Visit our water softener page for more tips to reduce water and salt use.

Set the correct water hardness and household size for ideal regeneration timing
Choose an NSF 44 certified model designed to use water and salt efficiently
Switch plumbing to only soften hot water

Septic systems

Septic systems are the responsibility of the property owner. It is important to have a licensed contractor clean out and inspect the tank every three to five years.