Drinking Source Water Protection News

Ontario approves assessment reports

1326171600

Province of Ontario approves assessment reports for Maitland Valley,
Ausable Bayfield drinking water source protection areas

Report approval completes second of three major tasks for source protection committee:
SPC now focuses work on development of source protection planning policies

The Province of Ontario announced on January 9, 2012 that the Ministry of the Environment has approved assessment reports for the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield source protection areas. The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee (SPC) will now focus its efforts on development of source protection planning policies in 2012.
“A lot of scientific study went into assessment report creation and refinement over the past three years,” said Laurence Brown, Chairman of the local SPC. “The successful completion of these reports now gives the committee the ability to devote our energies to the development of source protection planning policies to protect drinking water.”
He thanked everyone who contributed to the creation and refinement of the reports. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public and municipalities who, through public meetings and working groups, have provided valuable comments to the committee and staff during the assessment report preparation,” he said.
Maps and content of the approved assessment reports, and information on drinking water source protection planning in this region, is available online at sourcewaterinfo.on.ca or available for review at source protection authority offices. Assessment reports identify watersheds in source protection areas, characterize quality and quantity of water, and set out water budgets. The reports also identify significant groundwater recharge areas, highly vulnerable aquifers, surface water intake protection zones, and wellhead protection areas around municipal wellheads. The reports identify any drinking water issues and list land-use activities that are or would be drinking water threats in certain vulnerable areas in certain circumstances. The reports also list conditions resulting from past activities that are drinking water threats. Significant drinking water threats can exist in the 100-metre radius of a municipal groundwater drinking water source, in the most vulnerable parts of the two-year time-of-travel area around the municipal well, and (in the case of chemicals called dense non-aqueous phase liquids) in the five-year time-of-travel area around the municipal well. Significant threats can also exist around a surface water intake but no significant threats have been assessed near the two lake intakes (Goderich and the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System near Grand Bend) in the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley region.
Reference to drinking water threats does not suggest there is an immediate threat to drinking water on a landowner’s property, according to the committee. The word threat in this case indicates one of 21 land use activities (such as sewage stored in a septic system or oil stored for home heating) that has the potential, in certain circumstances, to pose a threat to municipal drinking water sources, if not properly managed. For more information visit Ontario’s Drinking Water Ontario web site.
The first of three major tasks for the committee was completion of terms of reference in 2009. Completion of assessment reports was the second major task. The third major task is creation of source protection plans which take effect in the second half of 2012, following municipal and public consultation. Municipalities in the region are continuing to provide input into the development of policies to protect municipal drinking water sources in the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region through the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006. The public will have opportunities in the spring of 2012 to review and comment on draft policies when they are prepared and released.
The local committee can reduce risk to drinking water supplies through plan tools such as education and outreach, financial incentives, land use planning changes, monitoring, and provincial prescribed instruments. The committee may also require risk management plans in certain cases or restrict or prohibit some land use activities, on parts of some properties, if the members feels those actions are necessary to protect the community’s drinking water supply. The committee would use the stronger actions only when needed and only in the most vulnerable areas of the region near municipal wells.
Landowners can take positive action now to protect drinking water and may receive grants to cover the majority of the cost of their voluntary projects, through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP). Eligible projects in wellhead protection areas or intake protection zones may include well decommissioning and upgrades, septic system upgrades, runoff and erosion control projects, agricultural best management practices, fuel storage containment, and storage of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (harmful chemicals that are heavier than water and that are almost impossible to remove from a water source and may not be detected in water quality monitoring). For information on financial incentives for projects that protect drinking water in wellhead protection areas phone 519-335-3557 or visit sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca
For more details on the approval of assessment reports in the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region visit www.ebr.gov.on.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE OF ISSUE: January 10, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Cumming, Communications Specialist, Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region, at 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

For more information on drinking water source protection visit:

Drinking Water Ontario web site at:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/legislation/clean_water_act/index.htm

Conservation Ontario web site at:
http://www.conservation-ontario.on.ca/source_protection/protection.html

Local source protection web sites:

http://www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

http://www.sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca

Contact Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region:

c/o Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority,
71108 Morrison Line,
RR 3 Exeter, ON N0M 1S5

Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority: 519–235–2610

Maitland Valley Source Protection Authority: 519–335–3557

Toll-free: 1–888–286–2610

E-mail: info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

Local landowners protecting water

1298437200

Ontario provides new funds for property owners near municipal wells in Maitland Valley, Ausable Bayfield areas
Owners of business, farm, residential properties close to municipal water sources to receive grants for projects such as well, septic upgrades, fuel and chemical storage

More owners of business, farm, and residential properties closest to municipal wells can receive grants for their projects that protect drinking water sources, thanks to new funding announced for the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield areas.

The Province of Ontario has announced Early Response, the second phase of the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP). Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), in partnership with Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), will receive $315,400 to help fund eligible projects that address specific local drinking water threats in the region. The new provincial funding will help reduce the potential for drinking water contamination through financial incentives to landowners for voluntary projects. Eligible projects may include upgrades to private wells and septic systems, decommissioning of wells or septics, fuel storage, containment and storage of harmful chemicals (dense non-aqueous phase liquids), manure storage, runoff and erosion control projects, and other best management practices.

Seaforth\'s Bill Scott is one of those landowners who has taken the initiative to protect water through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program. One of his projects was to upgrade his family\'s well to reduce the chance a contaminant might enter the well. His other project was to decommission a shallow well on his property. Properly capping an unused well can eliminate a pathway for a contaminant to reach the groundwater source. \"Decommissioning the shallow well on my property helps protect my own family\'s drinking water source and it also helps protect the municipal wells which are the Seaforth community\'s drinking water source,\" he said.

The Province of Ontario has committed $28 million over four years through ODWSP to help owners of industrial, commercial, agricultural and residential properties to protect municipal drinking water. The local conservation authorities have been delivering the grant program, in partnership with the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), since 2007. Landowners near municipal wells in this region have received close to $600,000 since that time to assist their stewardship projects that protect their community\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s drinking water. \"Conservation Ontario and local conservation authorities are extremely pleased to continue this important partnership with property owners and with the Ontario Ministry of Environment,\" said Kate Monk, ABCA Supervisor of Stewardship and Conservation Lands.

The Ontario Minister of the Environment said \\\"safe, clean drinking water is vital to our well-being and good for Ontario\'s economy. That is why we are helping Ontarians take measures to protect the sources of drinking water for our children and grandchildren.\"

The work that is being done here in the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Source Protection Region will help our community protect drinking water sources for years to come.. The new funds for eligible landowners are in addition to existing Early Actions provincial funding for early actions by property owners within 100 metres of a municipal well, or in the two-year time-of-travel capture area of that well, or within one kilometre of the surface water intake in Goderich. Eligible projects through Early Actions include confidential, fully-funded pollution prevention reviews for industrial and commercial properties and other projects, in addition to some of the projects already mentioned.

Drinking water threats were identified by the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee through proposed assessment reports. Drinking water source protection is a Province of Ontario initiative to protect your drinking water. It helps protect water from contamination at the source, through financial incentives to eligible landowners through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP), and through source protection plans to be developed, by 2012, by the source protection committee for this region. These efforts are through the Clean Water Act, 2006. They implement key recommendations of the O\'Connor Inquiry. Source protection, combined with testing, training, treatment, monitoring, and distribution, reduce risk to your drinking water by providing multiple barriers of protection.More information on ODWSP eligibility and grant rates is available locally at sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca and sourcewaterinfo.on.ca or by phoning 519-335-3557 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or e-mailing info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca.

Source Protection Committee commences plan policy development

1298350800

Named to committee are Blaney, Jones, Brebner, Miltenburg

1297918800

Project manager honoured by water magazine

1296536400

       A national magazine dedicated to Canadian water quality and stewardship has named a local drinking water source protection project manager as one of "the people and ideas that are making a difference in Canada's waterscape and beyond."
       Water Canada magazine announced this January its first Water's Next list of water achievements. The list recognizes people, businesses, innovations, and projects helping to protect water. The list of people includes Cathie Brown, Project Manager for the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region. Other recognized individuals in the People category included Bob Dell, of The Water School; Peter Huck, University of Waterloo; Karen Kun, Waterlution; and Tim Morris, The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation.
       Nominations for the featured achievements were submitted between July and October, 2010. A selection committee included water experts from across the country.
       Brown was primarily recognized for her efforts to foster in-depth public engagement and education about water and drinking water source protection. She achieved this through development of six local, community-based community working groups, a municipal sub-committee, and a professionally designed learning program. Close to 100 people joined the working groups and more than 75 citizens completed the 15-module training program by 2009. Young people, water treatment managers, service station and business owners, farmers, shoreline and inland residents, county, library and health workers, and other interested citizens learned together, discussed issues side by side in a frank and positive manner, and worked on policy suggestions together.
       The magazine quotes Larry Moore, Chief Administrative Officer of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, as saying Brown "doesn't just take a two-dimensional view of what communication and outreach can be."
       The Chair of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Committee, Larry Brown (no relation), said "Cathie's unique approach to drinking water source protection planning has fostered a high level of understanding and support in our rural communities for the importance of protecting drinking water." He said she is "well deserving of the recognition that this award brings to her as well as to the committee and people of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region."
       The community working group program was educational for the participants but the working group participants also educated the source protection committee and the region about local concerns and suggested policies. Cathie Brown told the magazine that, "It sharpened our ability to understand what people were thinking, and the things that maybe we'd overlooked in terms of issues and perspectives that we were going to have to address."
       The magazine article about Brown said she believed watershed residents had to be involved from the beginning if they were going to have deep understanding of drinking water source protection and that a "community development model" was needed. The project manager said there is interest in electronic means of communication but "face-to-face" dialogue is the way to go and is worth the extra effort.
        The magazine quotes Brown as saying that "what we've found through these working groups is that there's movement, the finding of common ground, and the creation of relationships which will also create the potential for negotiation as things move forward."
       Brown is a member of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre's board of directors and lectures on rural health issues at the University of Western Ontario's Faculty of Health Sciences.
       The Water's Next achievements are featured in the Water Canada magazine's first-ever supplemental publication dedicated to recognizing Canadian innovation and leadership in water and wastewater projects.
       "There are great achievements happening in water and water management," said Kerry Freek, Editor, Water Canada and co-author of Water's Next: Celebrating Canada's Best and Brightest in Water. "Canada has energized leaders, innovative technologies, quality research, and unique solutions for water challenges—all of which is making a difference in the country's waterscape."
       Water's Next achievements in the business world included: ENBALA Power, Enermodal Engineering, and SMART Watering Systems.
       Innovation recognition went to the City of Moncton's Fixed Network AMR System, Ontario's Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act , and the Proficiency Three-Litre Toilet.
       Projects recognition went to Alberta WaterSMART, Living Lakes Canada, and The City of Dawson Creek Reuse Project.
       Water Canada is published six times a year and is read by more than 15,000 water professionals. It offers news and information on drinking water, residential and commercial water treatment, protection of drinking water sources, water conservation, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, water resource management, technology advancement, policy and governance, business and investment, and waterworks infrastructure.
       For detailed listings of the water achievements, visit watersnext.ca
       Drinking water source protection is a Province of Ontario initiative to protect your drinking water. It helps protect water from contamination at the source, through financial incentives to eligible landowners through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP), and through source protection plans to be developed, by 2012, by the source protection committee for this region. These efforts are through the Clean Water Act, 2006. They implement key recommendations of the O'Connor Inquiry. Source protection, combined with testing, training, treatment, monitoring, and distribution, reduce risk to your drinking water by providing multiple barriers of protection.
       For more information visit sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca or sourcewaterinfo.on.ca or phone 519-335-3557 or 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

Business speaker to visit Listowel for free event

1286251200

       One of the best investments businesses can make is by improving their environmental management.
       Dr. Robert Klassen, of the Richard Ivey School of Business, is expected to bring that message to local business people at a free talk on Thursday, October 14 in Listowel at 7 p.m.
       The internationally-renowned expert on operations management will speak on 'Efficient-Profitable-Green: How Expanding Our Thinking about Environmental Management Can Improve Your Bottom Line, Reduce Risk and Protect Your Community's Resources.'
       Businesses are encouraged to pre-register by October 7 for the complimentary soup-and-sandwich buffet and talk at Listowel Golf Club. To register for this important talk phone Tim Cumming 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca
       The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee is bringing Dr. Klassen to this region for this talk. Businesses located in certain capture areas around municipal wells are eligible for a very limited time for fully-funded, confidential, voluntary, operational reviews of their businesses that could lead to cost benefits for the business as well as reduced environmental impacts.
       Dr. Klassen is a Professor of Operations Management and he has worked with several leading Canadian manufacturers and has worked with executives in Canada, Belgium, France, Switzerland and the United States.
       For more information visit sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca or sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

A poster is available for download by clicking on 'Downloads.'

Special Presentations on September 29th

1285560000

Special presentations on emergency spills, pollution prevention assessments, and household hazardous wastes will follow the SPC meeting on September 29th at the Holmesville Community Centre in Holmesville. Presentation begin at 1 p.m and will finish with a tour of the household hazardous waste disposal depot in Holmesville at 2:30 p.m. ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.

Land, Water, Harvest open house on September 25

1284609600

Farmers, families, public invited to drop in for 'Land - Water - Harvest'
Welcome to Autumn celebration at equine centre

Clean water and good food go hand in hand.
       Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection is recognizing this with a public celebration to honour the work farmers and other landowners do in the region to protect water sources and produce great local food at the same time.
       The 'Land — Water — Harvest' Welcome to Autumn Celebration is a come-and-go open house taking place on Saturday, September 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Regional Equine and Agricultural Centre of Huron (REACH), 169 Beech Street, Clinton. Farmers, families and the public are invited to this event and there is no admission fee.
       Everyone is welcome to visit the beautiful new equine centre, sample locally-grown food, see the Garden Roof and herb garden, touch and smell amazing locally-grown herbs and learn their many           uses in a home kitchen, listen to live music, and enjoy tour, demonstrations, exhibits. Engaging, educational activities for young people are also planned. No pre-registration is required. (All events are subject to change).
       The event celebrates successes in this region of landowner efforts to protect drinking water sources. It also provides information to farmers and other landowners about funding programs to assist their ongoing efforts to protect water through well and septic upgrades, well upgrades, runoff and erosion, clean water diversion and other initiatives.
       "We want to let landowners know about funding programs that can assist their efforts to protect drinking water sources," said Tim Cumming, a communications staff member with the project. "I think this celebration is also a chance to give a well-deserved pat on the back for the many farmers and other landowners who are helping to protect your water. This region is a leader in the province because of landowners who make stewardship a priority."
       Other upcoming source protection events include an event geared to industrial and commercial property owners. It takes place on Thursday, October 14 at the Listowel Golf Club.
       Drinking water source protection is a Province of Ontario initiative to protect your drinking water. It helps protect water from contamination at the source, through financial incentives to eligible landowners through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP) and through source protection plans to be developed by the source protection committee for this region. These efforts are through the Clean Water Act, 2006. They implement key recommendations of the O'Connor Inquiry. Source protection, combined with testing, training, treatment, monitoring, and distribution, reduce risk to your drinking water by providing multiple barriers of protection.
       For more information visit sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca or sourcewaterinfo.on.ca or phone 519-335-3557 or 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

Come see municipal well in Belgrave at barbecue

1283227200

Belgrave-area people can see their local well on tour
       People from Belgrave and area will have a rare chance to see their local well up-close on Saturday, September 18 during an Open Well come-and-go open house. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pumphouse at 30 McCrea Street in Belgrave. There is a free hot-dog and hamburger barbecue for those who attend.
       Residents of the area are invited to drop in and find out how their well works, what they can do to protect it, and what money is available to help them protect that municipal water source through well or septic improvements, best management practices, or through pollution prevention reviews for business.
       The Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield conservation authorities are delivering the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP) in this region. The Early Actions phase of that project is going to end this year and some people who are currently able to get financial assistance may not be eligible next year. That's why it's important to find out now about funding that is available for a limited time, said Donna Clarkson, source protection technician, who works at the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) office in Wroxeter.
       "There's a great opportunity right now to help protect the community's water and receive funding to do it," said Clarkson. "That's why we want to let everyone in Belgrave and area know how they can help keep the water clean."
       A staff member from Veolia Water will be attending the event to educate people about their water source. The organizers expressed special thanks to Veolia Water and to the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry for making the event possible.
       For more information visit sourceprotectionstewardship.on.ca or sourcewaterinfo.on.ca or phone 519-335-3557 or 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

Proposed assessment reports sent to Minister

1275624000

Proposed assessment reports for the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield source protection areas have been submitted by the respective source protection authorities to the Ontario Minister of the Environment for consideration. We would like to thank the public for the comments you submitted on the draft reports (between January 5 and March 12, 2010) and on the proposed reports (between May 4 and June 3, 2010).

Province funds more landowner work near wells

1275364800

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.

Proposed assessment reports available

1274932800

Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Committee approves proposed assessment reports

Reports are posted for public review

       The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee (SPC) approved the Proposed Assessment Report for the Maitland Valley Source Protection Area, and the Proposed Assessment Report for the Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Area, on Wednesday, April 28, 2010.
       The completion of the assessment reports will be the second of the three major tasks the committee is required to accomplish, according to Chair Larry Brown. "The committee is pleased to have adopted the proposed assessment reports and the information collected will help guide the committee as it develops source protection plans by 2012," he said.
       The information in the assessment reports will help the local committee keep your municipal drinking water clean. The reports are required under the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006 for each source protection area in the region. The reports describe the local watershed areas and available water supply, identify vulnerable areas where drinking water sources might face a risk of contamination or depletion, assess threats to drinking water within those vulnerable areas, and provide information necessary for the development of source protection plans by the source protection committee.
       The in-depth reports for the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region were revised after the review of public comments submitted during a period of public consultation on the original drafts between January 5 and March 12, 2010. The Source Protection Committee wishes to thank all those that submitted comments on the reports.
       The proposed reports are now posted for review and any additional comments must be received by Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. local time. The Maitland Valley Source Protection Authority, and the Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority, will forward these comments along with the proposed assessment reports to the Ontario Minister of the Environment for consideration.
       Comments on the Proposed Assessment Report for Maitland Valley Source Protection Area may be submitted to: Wilf Gamble, Chair, Maitland Valley Source Protection Authority, 1093 Marietta Street, Wroxeter, Ontario, N0G 2X0. Comments on the Proposed Assessment Report for Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Area may be submitted to: Jim Ginn, Chair, Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, Ontario, N0M 1S5.
       A copy of the Proposed Assessment Report for the Maitland Valley Source Protection Area is available for public inspection, during regular business hours, at the offices of the Maitland Valley Source Protection Authority / Conservation Authority in Wroxeter. A copy of the Proposed Assessment Report for the Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Area is available for public inspection, during regular business hours, at the offices of the Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority / Conservation Authority in Exeter.
       Copies of the proposed assessment reports are also available online for review and inspection by visiting: www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca. For more information phone 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610.
       For more information contact 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 or visit www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

Proposed Assessment Reports now posted

1273032000

Proposed Assessment Reports are now posted and available for download by clicking the Assessment Report tab. A copy of the May 4th notice is also posted on that page with details about how to review and provide written comments to the Source Protection Authorities.

Residential survey available online

1267419600

Thank you to home owners in areas near municipal wells for having completed residential surveys which help have correct and up-to-date information.

The online survey is no longer active but if you require a hard copy of the survey please contact Abbie at 519-235-2610.

Public will be able to attend meeting – even if they’re out of the area

1266469200

Web-based meeting to include presentation, chance for questions via computer or phone

Dozens of people have already attended public meetings in person over the past two months to comment on draft proposed assessment reports for the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley drinking water source protection areas. People who are unable to attend these meetings in person will now have a chance to take part in a meeting using the world-wide web or their telephone.
The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection planning project announced this week that it intends to provide a live presentation on the internet the morning of Saturday, March 6 and offer an opportunity for public questions via computer and telephone following the meeting.
"Some property owners in the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection areas may live out of the region," according to Derek Matheson, Source Protection Technician. "An online meeting can provide the opportunity for them, and other people who are unable to attend our meetings, to find out about draft proposed assessment reports and to ask questions or provide comments."
This is the project's first attempt at an online public meeting and organizers ask the public for their patience if technical glitches arise. "We have tried to do everything we can in advance to make this work but hosting a full meeting using remote locations, and new technology, will have its challenges," Matheson said. "Hopefully this will go as smoothly as possible to use technology to reach more people and provide a greater opportunity for the public to take part in this important initiative to protect water."
Participating in the live web meeting and teleconference will provide you with the opportunity to view a live presentation, and ask questions of a staff member. The teleconference and web meeting will begin with a presentation at 10:30 a.m., public question period at 11 a.m., and end about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2010. The public will be able to ask questions online using their computer keyboard or computer microphone, or they will be able to ask questions using their telephone via the teleconference.
To take part in the internet-based public meeting, please visit www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca. Once on the home page scroll down to the registration graphic (or 'widget') at the bottom left of the screen and enter the required information (name, e-mail, etc.). Shortly after registering, an e-mail will be sent to the provided e-mail address. This message will include a link to the web conference and dial-in information for the teleconference.
Interested people who would like to take part via telephone on March 6 can phone in advance of that day to 519-335-3557, and ask for Derek, or phone toll-free 1-888-286-2610, and ask for Tim, to obtain the contact information and password for the teleconference. Public question period begins at 11 a.m.
Drinking water source protection is a planning initiative by the Province of Ontario, through the Clean Water Act, 2006, to add additional protection to your municipal drinking water sources. Your municipal drinking water already has the protective barriers of treatment, testing, monitoring, distribution and testing. Drinking water source protection adds an added level of protection — the first barrier of protection at the source.
Assessment reports identify watersheds, vulnerable areas and assess potential significant drinking water threats — activities which could, under certain circumstances, pose a threat to a municipal drinking water sources.

March 26 deadline for comments on provincial source protection plans regulations document

1264482000

On January 25, 2005, the Regulation Proposal Notice for the regulatory components to support the development and implementation of source protection plans under the Clean Water Act, 2006, were posted to the Environmental Registry. This notice provides a summary of the draft regulation (which would be an amendment to O. Reg 287/07 — the General Regulation under the Act), but does not cover every provision contained in the draft regulation.

As a part of the government's commitment to implement all of the recommendations of the Walkerton Inquiry, and to implement the source protection framework set out by the Act, the government is developing regulations under the Act to support the development and implementation of source protection plans across the province. The posting of the draft regulation provides an opportunity to comment, and therefore assist in the development of the regulatory framework

This proposal has been posted for a 60 day public review and comment period starting January 25, 2010. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so by March 26, 2010 to the individual listed under "Contact" on the posting. Additionally, you may submit your comments on-line through the webpage. All comments received prior to March 26, 2010 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry of the Environment if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 010-8766.

For further details, please visit http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA4NjQ1&statusId=MTYzMTY1&language=en

Committee invites public to review draft proposed assessment reports at meetings

1263531600

Sx public meetings organized in region between January and March
— Assessment Reports are second main task for local committee

Members of the public have six public meeting opportunities between January and March to review and comment on new draft proposed assessment reports about drinking water source protection in Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley watersheds.
       The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Committee (SPC) announced on Monday, January 5 that the draft reports are ready for public review.
       "The creation of these reports is a very important step forward in protection of our municipal drinking water sources," said Larry Brown, SPC Chair. "The documents will tell us the number of potential drinking water threats in the two source protection areas and the committee will then be able to develop appropriate policies by 2012."
       The committee's first main task was completion of the terms of reference work plans, which were approved by the Ontario Minister of the Environment in June, 2009. Assessment report completion is the second main task for the local committee. The committee's third major task is preparation of source protection plans to be created by 2012. The conclusions of the assessment reports will help the committee as it prepares the plans.
       Assessment reports are required under the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006 for each source protection area in the region. The reports describe the local watershed areas and available water supply, identify vulnerable areas where drinking water sources might face a risk of contamination or depletion, assess threats to drinking water within those vulnerable areas, and provide information necessary for the development of source protection plans by the source protection committee.
       Copies of the draft proposed assessment reports are available for inspection at the offices of the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield conservation authorities. The documents are also available online, along with meeting dates, times and locations, at sourcewaterinfo.on.ca
       The formal presentations and public delegations take place at evening meetings in Blyth (February 18) and Zurich (February 25). Anyone who would like to make a delegation at one of those meetings should call Jenna at 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 at least two days in advance.
       There are also six open-house-format meetings, some on weekdays and some on the weekend. Those open houses take place January 21 (Bayfield), January 27 (Wingham), February 18 (Blyth), February 25 (Zurich), March 6 (Grand Bend) and March 6 (Palmerston).
       The public is welcome to submit written comments on the draft proposed assessment reports at the meetings or by mail. Written comments must be received by Friday, March 12, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. local time. They may be sent to: Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region, c/o ABCA, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, ON N0M 1S5, Attention: Cathie Brown, Project Manager.

Public meetings scheduled on draft proposed assessment reports

1262667600

January 5, 2010

Six public meetings in the region are being held for members of the public to review and inspect draft proposed assessment reports.

Members of the public are invited to attend, and public delegations are invited to present, at the following public meetings:

Maitland Valley Source Protection Area:
Thursday, February 18, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Blyth and District Community Centre, 377 Gypsy Lane, Blyth, Ontario

Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Area:
Thursday, February 25, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Municipality of Bluewater — Zurich Complex, 15 East Street, Zurich, Ontario

Public requests to present at one of these meetings should be received at least two business days prior to the meeting date in order to schedule presentation times. Please phone Jenna at 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 to reserve a time.

The public is invited to provide comments and also to attend and inspect the reports, at the following public meetings (open-house format) at the listed dates, times and locations:

Thursday, January 21, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Historical Town Hall, south side of Clangregor Square, Bayfield

Wednesday, January 27, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., North Huron Wescast Community Complex, 99 Kerr Drive, Wingham

Thursday, February 18, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Blyth and District Community Centre, 377 Gypsy Lane, Blyth

Thursday, February 25, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Municipality of Bluewater — Zurich Complex, 15 East Street, Zurich

Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion, 20 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend

Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Norgan Theatre, Main Street West, Palmerston

In addition, the public is welcome to submit written comments on the draft proposed assessment reports at the meetings or by mail. Written comments must be received by Friday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m. local time. They may be sent to:

Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region,
c/o ABCA, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, ON N0M 1S5., Attention: Cathie Brown, Project Manager.

Assessment reports are required under the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006 for each source protection area in the region. The reports describe the local watershed areas and available water supply, identify vulnerable areas where drinking water sources might face a risk of contamination or depletion, assess threats to drinking water within those vulnerable areas, and provide information necessary for the development of source protection plans by the source protection committee.

These reports are now completed for the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection areas and available for public review. Copies of the draft proposed assessment reports are available for reading and inspection at the following locations:

Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
1093 Marietta Street, Wroxeter, Ontario
519-335-3557
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, Ontario
519-235-2610 • 1-888-286-2610

Copies of the draft proposed assessment reports are also available online for review and inspection by visiting:

http://www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

Made possible through funding support
from the Government of Ontario
Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region, c/o ABCA,
71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, ON N0M 1S5 • 519-235-2610 • 1-888-286-2610 • Facsimile 519-235-1963 • info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca
Date of Notice: January 5, 2010

NOTICE: Draft Proposed Assessment Reports available for inspection, public meetings scheduled

1262667600

NOTICE

Date of Notice: January 5, 2010 as per Ontario Regulation 287/07, Section 15. (1) — Clean Water Act, 2006

Draft Proposed Assessment Reports Available for Inspection, Public Meetings Scheduled

For complete copy of notice click 'Downloads' button.

The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee (SPC) would like to invite public comment on draft proposed assessment reports for the Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Area and the Maitland Valley Source Protection Area. Members of the public are welcome to attend any of several public meetings scheduled to provide an opportunity to review, read and inspect these reports and provide comments.

Assessment reports are required under the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006 for each source protection area in the region. The reports describe the local watershed areas and available water supply, identify vulnerable areas where drinking water sources might face a risk of contamination or depletion, assess threats to drinking water within those vulnerable areas, and provide information necessary for the development of source protection plans by the source protection committee.

These reports are now completed for the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection areas and available for public review. Copies of the draft proposed assessment reports are available for reading and inspection at the following locations:

Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
1093 Marietta Street, Wroxeter, Ontario
519-335-3557

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, Ontario
519-235-2610 • 1-888-286-2610

Copies of the draft proposed assessment reports are also available online for review and inspection by visiting:

http://www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca

Members of the public are invited to attend, and public delegations are invited to present, at the following public meetings:

Maitland Valley Source Protection Area:
Thursday, February 18, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Blyth and District Community Centre, 377 Gypsy Lane, Blyth, Ontario

Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Area:
Thursday, February 25, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Municipality of Bluewater — Zurich Complex, 15 East Street, Zurich, Ontario

Public requests to present at one of these meetings should be received at least two business days prior to the meeting date in order to schedule presentation times. Please phone Jenna at 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 to reserve a time.

The public is invited to provide comments and also to attend and inspect the reports, at the following public meetings (open-house format) at the listed dates, times and locations:

Thursday, January 21, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Historical Town Hall, south side of Clangregor Square, Bayfield

Wednesday, January 27, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., North Huron Wescast Community Complex, 99 Kerr Drive, Wingham

Thursday, February 18, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Blyth and District Community Centre, 377 Gypsy Lane, Blyth

Thursday, February 25, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Municipality of Bluewater — Zurich Complex, 15 East Street, Zurich

Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion, 20 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend

Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Norgan Theatre, Main Street West, Palmerston

In addition, the public is welcome to submit written comments on the draft proposed assessment reports at the meetings or by mail. Written comments must be received by Friday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m. local time. They may be sent to:

Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region,
c/o ABCA, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, ON N0M 1S5., Attention: Cathie Brown, Project Manager.

NOTICE: Public meetings scheduled

1259816400

NOTICE: Draft proposed assessment reports for the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection areas are now available for inspection at the offices of the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley source protection authority offices. There are also public opportunities to review these documents and attend meetings between January and March of 2010.