SOURCE WATER PROTECTION 
JUNE UPDATE

Volume 23. June 12, 2015

Source Protection Plan implementation is well underway in the Quinte Region. 

This means that:

  • the policies in the Quinte Region Source Protection Plan are now in effect and are being implemented,

  • municipal and building officials are screening building and planning related applications to ensure that proposed new activities comply with policies in the Source Protection Plan,

  • the risk management office at Quinte Conservation is working with local residents and business owners to ensure that risk reduction measures are in place for existing activities that pose a significant drinking water threat to the municipal drinking water sources, and

  • information is being made available to those who are affected.

RECENT WORK BY THE RISK MANAGEMENT OFFICE

If you require a risk management plan the risk management officials at Quinte Conservation

can walk you through the process.

 

Quinte Conservation provides the risk management services for municipalities with significant drinking water threats and/or drinking water systems in the Quinte Region. Recent work includes:

  • Risk management plans for home heating oil in the most vulnerable zone around municipal wells (100 metre radius) are now complete.

  • Risk management officials are currently negotiating risk management plans for locations that store waste oil in vulnerable zones. There are nine locations requiring plans in Picton and Madoc. Five plans are complete, three sites had identified deficiencies that need to be addressed, and one site visit is pending.

  • Risk management officials are contacting people with home heating oil tanks located in the the second vulnerable zone surrounding municipal wells. This zone is called the wellhead protection area 'B' and it is the area in which a spilled contaminant could reach the well within two years. Educational material and stickers for oil tanks showing the emergency contact number for the Spills Action Centre are provided along with a reminder about the regulations that require an annual inspection of the oil heat system.

  • Risk management officials are starting to contact people with agricultural parcels in vulnerable areas. The goal is to complete these risk management plans in 2015.

  • Relevant fact sheets are provided to landowners during site visits.

Municipal implementation costs in 2015 are covered under the provincial Source Protection Municipal Implementation Fund. Eligible municipalities in the Quinte Region have each received an additional $15,000 from the province for collaborating on implementation initiatives. This was facilitated by Quinte Conservation.


OTHER ACTIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE SOURCE PROTECTION PLAN
Other recent actions include:
  • Informative letters and fact sheets were sent to persons in the vulnerable areas.
  • Information about implementation actions was sent to home heating oil service providers. 
  • Along with the screening of building and planning related applications, municipal officials are carrying out septic system inspections required under the Ontario Building Code in areas where the operation of a septic system is identified as a significant threat to the municipal water source.
  • Informative fact sheets have been created including a brochure for real estate professionals that was made available to local real estate board members. 
  • Source protection staff continue to cooperate with neighbouring regions to ensure smooth implementation for municipalities and landowners.
  • QuinteSourceWater.ca is regularly updated with implementation information.
ARE YOU AFFECTED BY POLICIES IN THE SOURCE PROTECTION PLAN?
Fuel Tank

The storage and handling of home heating oil

is a significant threat near municipal wells. A

double bottomed tank, drip tray and alarm

helps to protect personal property, drinking

water sources, and the environment.

To find out which types of activities are affected in what areas:

Most of the policies in the Quinte Region Source Protection Plan apply in relatively small and very specific mapped vulnerable areas surrounding the municipal drinking water sources. Some activities that occur in these vulnerable areas can pose a significant threat to the drinking water source. Policies in the Plan address both existing and proposed future activities.

 
MORE ON DRINKING WATER SOURCE PROTECTION
What you can do to help protect drinking water sources
Drinking Water Threats in the Quinte Region
More about protecting water sources in the Quinte Region...

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