Source water is any untreated water found in rivers, lakes and underground aquifers which is used for the supply of raw water for drinking water systems. Source water protection is the action taken to protect that raw source of municipal drinking water from overuse and pollution.
Wellhead Protection Areas
Municipalities are responsible for the regulation of activities that may pose a risk of contaminating drinking water sources (drinking water threats) on a site-specific basis. Source Water Protection Plan policies generally apply to activities located within surface water Wellhead Protection Areas (also known as vulnerable areas).
Background
The Town of Mono has been a leader in the protection of groundwater resources. The Town held two successful conferences in the 1990's devoted to groundwater protection policies, Headwaters I: There's Always Someone Downstream and Headwaters II: No More Flush and Forget.
In 2004, following the tragedy in Walkerton, the Town of Mono became one of the first municipalities in Ontario to develop and incorporate wellhead protection policies in its Official Plan.
Source Water Protection Plan
In 2006 the Province passed the Clean Water Act, 2006: legislation designed to help communities protect the sources of their drinking water. The Act requires municipalities, businesses and residents, working together, to implement local Source Protection Plans. The Town of Mono is governed by two Source Protection Plans, approved under the Clean Water Act, 2006. The policies in the two Source Protection Plans outline how sources of drinking water will be protected.
Credit Valley-Toronto and Region-Central Lake Ontario (CTC) Source Protection Plan
South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Plan
Residents, Landowners and Farmers
There are many simple things one can do to protect drinking water sources, including:
- Maintaining septic systems;
- Disposing of hazardous waste properly;
- Minimizing the use of pesticides, fertilizers and de-icing salt; and/or,
- Storing fuels properly.
Farmers can also protect groundwater sources by:
- Controlling field and stream bank erosion;
- Using safe storage and handling systems for manure;
- Creating a nutrient management plan; and/or,
- Controlling barnyard runoff and diverting clean water.
If your property is within a Wellhead Protection Area, you may need to complete a Risk Management Plan. For further information, please contact the Town of Mono Risk Management Official.
Septic Systems
To meet the requirements of the Ontario Building Code, the County of Dufferin's Building Department may conduct inspections of septic systems in certain areas. If your septic system is not functioning properly and you are located within a Wellhead Protection Area, you may be required to rectify the issue.
All septic systems within the Wellhead Protection Areas were inspected in 2015 at which time no concerns were identified.
Businesses
Businesses also have roles and responsibilities to protect our environment and help preserve the quality of our drinking water. If your business is within a Wellhead Protection Area, there may be policies in the Source Protection Plan that apply to you.
Businesses may be required to complete a Risk Management Plan before they begin a land development project that could impact the groundwater. Existing businesses may also be required to do so if their activities pose a threat to groundwater. For further information, please contact the Town of Mono Risk Management Official.
The Way Forward
Source Water Protection Signs
Source water protection signs will be erected throughout our Wellhead Protection Areas to enhance public awareness pertaining to our drinking water. These signs physically identify the most vulnerable zones within a wellhead protection area, and are part of a larger education and outreach strategy in accordance with the Source Protection Plans.
Official Plan and Zoning By-law Updates
Planning Staff are working with Dufferin County and the Province to update our current groundwater protection policies and incorporate the policies of the Source Water Plans into our respective Official Plan and Zoning By-law. The purpose of these updates is to ensure that the Town conforms with Ontario’s Clean Water Act, 2006, and the ongoing safety and protection of our drinking water.
Town of Mono Town Hall
347209 Mono Centre Road
Mono, ON L9W 6S3
519.941.3599
» Map
Risk Management Official
Sarah Thompson, Acting Source Water Coordinator
sthompson@nvca.on.ca
Further Reading
Source Water Protection Planning Memo 2018 Mar 6
Source Water Protection Draft Zoning Bylaw Amendment
CTC Source Water Protection Plan
South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Plan
Wellhead Protection Areas | Conservation Ontario
Drinking Water | Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
Source Water Protection | Conservation Ontario
Know Your Drinking Water! | Conservation Ontario
Headwaters I: There's Always Someone
Headwaters II: No More Flush and Forget
Treating Your Septic System with Care | Town of Mono
Smart Septic | Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs
Water Conservation Videos
