 Province funds more landowner work near wells
2010-06-01
Ontario helps people in Ausable Bayfield, Maitland Valley areas take action to protect local drinking water sources
McGuinty government continues to invest in safeguarding drinking water
The Province of Ontario announced $100,000 in new funding for stewardship projects near municipal wells and intakes in the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley areas.
Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell made the announcement on Friday, May 21 at the site of the Seaforth wells.
"We have a shared responsibility for protecting drinking water," said Mitchell. She said the Province of Ontario is making it easier for people who live and work in this region (which includes parts of Huron, Bruce, Perth, Wellington, Middlesex and Lambton counties) to take positive actions to help protect local drinking water sources.
The Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program — Early Actions program will provide financial assistance to eligible local landowners who take action to protect source drinking water by:
- Conducting pollution prevention reviews (voluntary, confidential, fully-funded environmental audits for small and medium sized businesses to safeguard water and reduce waste).
- Upgrading or decommissioning wells and septic systems
- Installing runoff and erosion control measures
- Implementing agricultural best management practices
Eligible landowners at this time are residents located within 100 metres of a municipal well or located within the two-year time-of-travel capture area around the well. Landowners within one kilometre of the Goderich intake are also eligible. (The number of eligible landowners is expected to be lower in 2011, so landowners are encouraged to take part this year).
"These provincial stewardship funds will be used throughout the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Source Protection region to assist property owners in protecting our drinking water and the health of our citizens," said Larry Brown, Chair, Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee (SPC).
The funds will go to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, which is working in partnership with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, to deliver the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program for the two source protection areas.
Protecting drinking water sources is the first line of defence in Ontario's approach to safeguarding drinking water.
"Financial incentives for improvements by owners of business, farm and residential properties near municipal wells are an essential way to protect drinking water sources," said Jim Ginn, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). "The Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program financial support provided in this region demonstrates the long-term commitment of the Province of Ontario to this approach."
Ontario is investing $7 million across the province in 2010 for financial incentives for voluntary projects to protect drinking water sources, through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program under the Clean Water Act, 2006. This program is designed to help property owners, medium and small business owners, farmers and home owners who are near municipal drinking water intakes and wells, protect municipal drinking water sources.
"We are pleased to work together with the local community to help protect local drinking water sources," said Ontario Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen.
Since 2007, the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program has funded more than 800 completed projects with another 400 currently underway. Since 2005, the Ontario government has invested more than $150 million to protect drinking water sources.
More than $1 million has been committed to projects in this region over the past two and a half years, thanks to the excellent participation of property owners in Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley areas. This makes them among the province's leaders.
For information on the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program contact Donna Clarkson, Source Protection Technician, at Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), at 519-335-3557, or e-mail dclarkson@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca
You may also call Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority toll-free at 1-888-286-2610.
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© 2010