Watershed DescriptionDetails on the watersheds of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region |
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The Watershed Description (PDF 1.72 MB) brochure is the first in a series that summarizes the reports. Conservation Authority technical staff and resource experts produce these reports to develop an understanding of the watersheds' physical, sociological and economic characteristics. This information will assist with development of source protection plans for each source protection area (Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield). For current information on the watershed visit the Assessment Reports page. Drinking Water Source Protection is a planning initiative to protect municipal drinking water sources with specific attention to four vulnerable areas - wellhead protection areas (WHPAs), Intake Protection Zones (IPZs), Highly-Vulnerable Aquifers and Significant Recharge Areas as defined by the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006. Broader 'source water protection' is the protection of water resources from contamination or overuse. All the water we use, whether obtained from private wells or public drinking water systems, has a surface source, such as a lake, or a groundwater source, such as an aquifer. Source protection represents a cost-efficient, community-based method of ensuring that the water we drink and use in our daily lives remains safe and contaminant-free, both now and in the future. Source Protection (SP) Planning is an initiative that is underway with the goals of learning more about our municipal drinking water sources and developing strategies to protect it. Locally this process will be facilitated by the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities and will involve many partners, stakeholders and residents. To protect water quality and use water wisely, we must understand our ecological neighbourhood, i.e. our watershed. A watershed is the land that is drained by one river or stream and its tributaries. As a raindrop flows across fields, forests and towns and as it joins others in the river, nature, including humans, affects it in many interconnected ways. Each watershed is unique with different features and concerns. The Watershed Description brochure is the first in a series that summarizes the SP Watershed Assessment report. Conservation Authority technical staff and resource experts have produced this report to develop an understanding of the watersheds‚ physical, sociological and economic characteristics. This information will assist with development of the SP Plan for the area. (Some content in the brochure is subject to change - see our 'Assessment Reports' page for current information). Why? Water is critical to all aspects of our lives. Protecting the sources of our water is important to ensure that there is enough safe water for all our uses now and in the future. What? Source protection is simply protecting water resources, such as lakes, rivers and groundwater, from contamination or overuse. The provincial government has passed the Clean Water Act and will combine Ontario watersheds into planning regions. The planning regions will develop Source Protection Plans for municipal sources of drinking water. Each plan will be a management strategy designed to minimize the impact that human and natural activities have on the quality and supply of our water resources. Each will develop understanding of the water quantity, quality, processes, threats and possible solutions for the watersheds in the region using an interdisciplinary approach. When? As of autumn, 2006, the Clean Water Act has been passed and Source Protection Plans policy development has begun. Who? The plans are developed by the local Source Protection Committee. The creation of the committee is facilitated by the Conservation Authorities (excercising their legislated responsibilities as Source Protection Authorities under the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006), agencies experienced in watershed planning and user needs. For maximum efficiency, the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities are combining their efforts as Source Protection Authorities (SPAs), as mandated by the legislation. Plan success will rely on input by the public and other stakeholders, such as municipalities. Watershed residents---today and in future generations---will be the plan beneficiaries and implementers. Where? The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region is located in southwestern Ontario along the Lake Huron shore. It is made up of two source protection areas - Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley. For more information about SP Planning please contact: c/o Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority, RR 3 Exeter, 519-235-2610, 1-888-286-2610 Mailing address: Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection, c/o Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority |
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