Drinking Source Water Protection

Working Groups

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The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee is holding in-depth and regular meetings with municipal planning working groups in development of draft source protection planning policies for consideration by the SPC.

Also, volunteers from the community were actively involved in six local, multi-stakeholder community working groups to assist the Source Protection Committee (SPC) in its work developing local science - based terms of reference, assessment reports and source protection plans. Six local, geographically-based groups were formed — in Listowel, Wingham, Kingsbridge/Port Albert, Clinton, Exeter and Parkhill. In addition, there was a municipal subcommittee of municipal political representatives.

The working groups provided meaningful stakeholder participation, local knowledge and input to the local planning committee. Working groups have provided input on local concerns towards the development of well-considered plans with a high prospect of successful implementation. The local source protection project developed a leading-edge drinking water source protection adult training program which was, at no charge to the participant, provided them with an engaging course on source protection issues and the technical background required to provide informed input to the local committee. Furthermore, the program provided a means for the participant to take current information back to their nominating organization or community and provide input from their nominating organization or community to the group.

The working groups had their first meeting in February of 2008 and continued to meet every month or two for about two years. They completed the program and, in response to participant feedback, a new, practical source protection planning workbook ('Adopt a Vulnerable Area'/Vulnerableville) was created - with that workbook, members used the MOE threats table and developed suggested planning policies to address different potential risks to drinking water. (See 'downloads' on this site for those recommendations).

Some members of the working groups completed a formal assessment of their work and received a Certificate of Recognition through Fleming College.

Local, multi-stakeholder community working groups have provided:
1. Insights into local conditions (e.g., societal, economic, geophysical, etc.)
2. Questions for clarification (issues raised, etc.)
3. Recommendations in support of implementation strategy

To act as a mechanism for stakeholder representation in the planning process, working group members are expected to have:
1. The ability to listen and work cooperatively with others.
2.  The desire to seek solutions reflecting a foundation in scientific/technical studies and knowledge of the area.

The group recommendations are collected and recorded in a running tally of input and reviewed by the source protection committee. See the 'Downloads' section for some of the input to date. Although the working groups have completed their training program, they may be invited back on an ad hoc basis to provide further input to the committee.

Municipal Subcommittee (MSC)

A Municipal Subcommittee (MSC) was created in the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection areas to assist the new Source Protection Committee (SPC) in its work developing local science - based source protection plans. The centrally located Municipal Subcommittee provided meaningful participation for the 24 lower tier municipalities and six counties represented in the source protection region. Municipal Subcommittee members have learned about and provided input on local concerns and issues related to the protection of municipal drinking water sources under the Clean Water Act, 2006, towards the development of well-considered plans with a high prospect of successful implementation.

The Municipal Subcommittee had its first meeting in February of 2008 and continued to meet once or twice a month for approximately 18 months.

Working groups and municipal subcommittee members may be invited, on an ad-hoc basis, to meet again as needed to provide further feedback to the source protection committee.

Contact Us
For more information on drinking water source protection in the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region contact Tim Cumming, Communications Specialist, at info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca or phone 519-235-2610, ext. 248 or toll-free at 1-888-286-2610, ext. 248.

Questions related to drinking water source protection in Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region can be sent to Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region, c/o Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter ON N0M 1S5, or by phone at 519-335-3557 (MVCA), 519-235-2610, ext 248 (ABCA), or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca