Learn How You Can Help Protect Drinking Water at the Source

October 26, 2021

With more than 100 signs installed along roadways throughout the Raisin-South Nation Drinking Water Source Protection Region in Eastern Ontario, chances are you’ve noticed the “Drinking Water Protection Zone” signs in your community. But, do you know what they mean? 

Drinking water source protection is possible in Ontario through the Clean Water Act, 2006. The protection zones are areas around municipal drinking water sources where extra protective measures help to reduce risk and keep drinking water safe and clean. These signs are the most visible way for residents to know where their municipal drinking water sources are most vulnerable and most in need of protection.

Ontario’s municipal drinking water sources include groundwater (underneath our feet in aquifers, drawn through municipal wells); and surface water (such as the St. Lawrence, South Nation, and Ottawa Rivers). 

An October education blitz was launched by Conservation Ontario and local source protection authorities aims to bring awareness about these signs, source water protection, actions that have taken place since 2006, and how residents can be part of this important work to protect public health.

Some ways to help protect drinking water sources include:
•    Conserving water
•    Disposing of hazardous waste properly
•    Using non-toxic, environmentally friendly products
•    Reducing or eliminating use of pesticides, fertilizers, sidewalk salts and not 
     over-watering your lawn
•    Keeping your septic in proper working order, including regular pump outs
•    Protecting and maintaining private wells
•    Report potentials spills and pollution directly to the Spills Action Centre by calling 1-866-MOE-TIPS, or visiting: www.ontario.ca/page/report-pollution-and-spills 

Source Protection Plans are developed by local Source Protection Committees including representatives from Provincial, Municipal, and sector representatives (community, aggregate, commercial/industrial and agricultural) which meet several times a year with Conservation Authority staff. The Raisin-South Nation Source Protection Plan has been in effect since 2014.

The Raisin Region and South Nation Source Protection Areas total approximately 
7,000 km2 in Eastern Ontario and include 13 Intake Protection Zones and 24 Wellhead Protection Areas around surface water and groundwater municipal drinking water sources. 

To learn more about how the Source Protection Plan safeguards the municipal drinking water for your community, visit the Raisin-South Nation Source Protection page, at www.yourdrinkingwater.ca.