Eves Government Takes Action On Sourcewater Protection
TORONTO - As part of its commitment to safeguard Ontario's drinking water, the Ernie Eves government today released the final report of the Advisory Committee on Watershed-Based Source Protection Planning and announced further actions to strengthen rules around water takings.
"Source protection planning is an integral component of this government's clean water strategy and we want to get it right," said Ernie Eves, Ontario's Premier. "The Committee has given us an excellent foundation for moving forward on source protection planning. As recommended, we are consulting with the public on its recommendations."
Eves also announced today that the government has taken action to protect two of southern Ontario's most environmentally sensitive regions by posting a final regulation that places a six-month moratorium on new Permits To Take Water on the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment. The moratorium applies to new applications for permits submitted after March 1, 2003 for beverage manufacturing (including bottled water), fruit and vegetable canning or pickling, ready-mix concrete manufacturing, and the manufacturing or production of products that contain some or all of the water that is taken.
"The Oak Ridges Moraine and Niagara Escarpment are vitally important to our water supply and uniquely sensitive," said Eves. "These measures are just one of the ways our government is developing source protection rules that work not only for these two areas, but for the entire province."
Eves further indicated that the Ministry of the Environment has posted a draft regulation on the Permit To Take Water process for public comment. The regulation proposes amendments that will increase accountability of permit holders and applicants by requiring them to publicly share information on new and revised permits.
"These actions move us toward a comprehensive sourcewater protection plan as envisaged by Commissioner Dennis O'Connor," said Environment Minister Chris Stockwell. "Our government has shown its commitment to implementing the O'Connor recommendations in recent weeks by announcing a Drinking Water Management Division in the Ministry of the Environment, introducing new rules for well construction and maintenance, and providing $5 million to municipalities and conservation authorities for groundwater studies."
The government is committed to introducing legislation on source-protection planning this fall, and will also consult with key stakeholders and experts to develop technical and implementation details related to source-protection planning.
The Advisory Committee on Watershed-Based Source Protection Planning was established to provide advice to the government on a source protection framework guided by recommendations in Commissioner O'Connor's Part Two Report of the Walkerton Inquiry. The Committee's key recommendations include broader consultation on the report, establishment of a technical committee and the development of sourcewater protection legislation.
The report and the draft regulation can be found on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry. The final regulation on the moratorium may also be viewed on this site.
Contact:
Premier's Media Office
416-325-7600
