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SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
 and the
HANDLING and STORAGE of 
HOME HEATING OIL

 

In This Issue
INTRODUCTION
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
HOW WE CAN HELP
MORE INFO AND CONTACT
BACKGROUND INFO
Quick Links
Issue #20                                      March 18, 2015
Implementation of policies in the Source Protection Plan will help to protect our drinking water
sources from contamination. 
Introduction 
Careless or improper handling and storage of fuel can impact water. Fuel storage tanks may leak
 and spills can occur that contaminate our drinking water sources. Very small spills of fuel can contaminate vast amounts of water. Cleanups can be costly, lengthy and difficult.

Six policies in the Source Protection Plan address existing and future fuel related activities in the Quinte Region. The policies apply in the sensitive or vulnerable areas near municipal drinking water sources. These vulnerable areas are relatively small. Policies in the Plan address the threat from activities related to both home heating oil tanks and larger fuel storage tanks. 
 
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU HEAT WITH OIL?
Fuel Tank
A drip tray and alarm helps to protect personal property and water sources.
There are steps you can take that will protect your property and the environment too. If you have a home heating oil tank, you can:
 
  • have your heating system and equipment serviced each year by a certified technician (most home insurance policies require this),
  • install a drip tray and alarm,
  • upgrade your oil storage tank to a double walled or double bottomed tank,
  • install your new tank indoors (indoor tanks have less chance of leaking),
  • install an oil line protector (and gauge protector if tank is outside) to safeguard against foot traffic, falling debris, etc.,
  • Keep emergency numbers handy in case of a spill and,
  • See this video and more at quintesourcewater.ca.
HOW WE CAN HELP IF YOU HEAT WITH OIL
This 15 cm by 10 cm sticker will be installed on home heating oil tanks located in spedific vulnerable areas
near municipal drinking water sources.

The risk management office at Quinte Conservation will  contact property owners in the affected vulnerable areas during 2015 and provide them with information.

Stickers and tags for home heating oil tanks and fill pipes will help to ensure awareness and prompt response to spills in the vulnerable areas. The stickers and tags were developed with input from home heating oil suppliers and will be used throughout eastern Ontario.

Risk management plans to ensure proper handling and storage of home heating oil will be required within 100 metres of municipal wells for:
  • Hamlet of Point Anne in the east end of the City of Belleville, 
  • Peats Point subdivision in Prince Edward County,
  • Village of Madoc, 
  • Village of Tweed, and
  • Village of Deloro,
as per policies in the Source Protection Plan.

MORE INFORMATION and CONTACT
Source Water Protection staff at Quinte Conservation are ready to serve you.
613-968-3434 or 
613-354-3312
Keith Taylor, ext 114
Mark Boone, ext 120
Amy Dickens, ext 132
PROJECT BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
The initiative to protect sources of municipal drinking water is directed and funded by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change under the Clean Water Act, 2006. The Quinte Region Source Protection Plan was approved in September, 2014 with an effective date of January 1, 2015. Policies in the Quinte Region Source Protection Plan were developed by a local 21 member Source Protection Committee. girl drinking water

Quinte Conservation provided technical, communications and administrative support during the planning process and continues to provide needed expertise as the Source Protection Plan is implemented. Similar drinking water source protection work is being undertaken in other regions across the province.

The 11 drinking water systems in the Quinte Region where the Source Protection Plan policies apply are: surface water intakes at Deseronto, Napanee (backup system), Ameliasburgh, Wellington, Picton, Belleville and Point Anne; and groundwater wells in the Villages of Deloro, Madoc and Tweed, and the Hamlet of Peats Point in Prince Edward County. Some policies also apply in the Township of Madoc where the vulnerable areas surrounding the Village of Madoc wells extend into the Township.
 

 For more visit www.quintesourcewater.ca