Long Point Region Source Protection Plan Approved

A plan to protect the sources of municipal drinking water in the Long Point Region watershed has been approved by the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) announced today.

The Long Point Region Source Protection Plan was approved by Minister Glen Murray on November 4, 2015 and will take effect July 1, 2016.

The Source Protection Plan was developed over several years and is based on technical studies, collaborative policy development, and extensive public consultation. The process was guided by the Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee made up of
representatives from municipalities, business, industry, farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders.

“Formal approval of the Long Point Region Plan to protect and enhance sources of drinking water is a milestone achieved through the Committee’s collaborative work with its community, conservation authority, municipal and provincial partners,” says Wendy Wright Cascaden, Acting Chair, Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee. “We look forward to monitoring and measuring the Plan’s success.”

She also commended Craig Ashbaugh, former chair of the Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee, who helped to shape decision-making and guide the planning process over the last eight years. “We would like to recognize Craig for the Source Protection Committee’s success in bringing together municipalities, businesses, farmers and others to define a plan that protects local water supplies,” said Ms. Wright Cascaden. “The approved Long Point Region Source Protection Plan is an achievement that will extend far into our future.”

The source protection planning process began in 2006 when the Ontario government passed the Clean Water Act to protect the sources of municipal drinking water supplies throughout Ontario. The Act established 19 local committees across Ontario. Each committee developed science-based plans that address contamination risks to municipal drinking water sources.

The Long Point Region Source Protection Plan was developed by the Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee and its municipal and community partners. The committee also developed plans for the Catfish Creek, Grand River and Kettle Creek watersheds.

Source protection plans are local science-based plans designed to protect the water quality of the lakes, rivers and sources of underground water that supply municipal drinking water systems. The plans set out actions to eliminate, manage or reduce potential risks to drinking water sources.

Policies in the Source Protection Plans include a variety of approaches to manage and prevent risks to municipal drinking water. These approaches include education and outreach, the development of risk management plans, land use planning, and monitoring. The policies are designed to keep contaminants out of rivers, lakes and groundwater aquifers that are sources of municipal drinking water.

LPRCA is pleased that the Long Point Region Source Protection Plan has been approved. “This is good news for the future of the 13 municipal drinking water sources in the Long Point Region. Implementation of the source protection plan will help to safeguard our sources of municipal drinking water,” says LPRCA Chair Mike Columbus.

The source protection planning process is directed and funded by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in conjunction with municipalities. Local conservation authorities provide additional technical, communications and administrative support for the source protection planning process.

The Long Point Region Source Protection Plan outlines the policies and programs that will protect municipal drinking water systems. The plan and its associated documents are available at www.sourcewater.ca

For further information contact LPRCA General Manager Cliff Evanitski at 519-842-4242 ext 225.