Amidst and respecting the restrictions of the current pandemic, The Source Protection Committee (SPC) has approved this source protection region’s annual progress report for submission to the Province of Ontario. This progress report documents the achievements we have made together to implement source protection plan policies that add protection to local municipal drinking water sources. You may download this report at http://home.waterprotection.ca/resources/publications/

“The Committee has spent more than 12 years developing the Source Protection Plan and its policies. Now, to see implementation going well is rewarding," said Committee Chair Bill Twaddle. The local Source Protection Authorities and Source Protection Committee has been able to meet its regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act during these difficult times by holding meetings electronically. “The dedication and commitment of the local Source Protection Committee and Authority members is evident in their willingness to participate remotely with the Annual Report review process. Reviewing the annual progress report results and knowing that we are all doing our part to protect our region’s drinking water sources confirms why we got involved in this critical program.”

The annual progress report was submitted to the province on May 1, 2020. It highlights the Source Protection activities for 2019 calendar year and work completed since 2016 when the Source Protection Plan (SPP) came into effect. There is a deadline of July 2021 to achieve full implementation of all plan policies. We extend sincere thanks to staff and partner agencies who contributed to the report, and for their ongoing support for this program. Highlights of the report include:

71% of the Saugeen, Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula SPP policies that address significant drinking water threats have been fully implemented.

Municipalities with vulnerable areas where significant drinking water threat policies apply have processes in place to ensure that their day-to-day planning decisions conform with the SPP policies. 95% of these municipalities have amended or are in the process of amending their Official Plan to conform with the SPP policies.

There are 312 on-site sewage systems (septic systems), in this source protection region that are in the most vulnerable areas around municipal wells and subject to the mandatory re-inspection program. 98% of these systems have been inspected in accordance with Ontario Building Code.

There are 152 drinking water protection zone signs that have been installed in the source protection region. The signs are installed on roads near municipal wells to alert citizens and emergency services that their actions in these zones can have an impact on a municipal drinking water source.

145 risk management plans (RMPs) have been established in this source protection region and there is 100% compliance by landowners with their individual plans.

At the March 27, 2020 Source Protection Committee meeting, the following statement was provided: “The great progress to-date on source protection plan implementation was made possible with the strong support and direct involvement of municipalities, agricultural and industry sectors, as well as other environmental and health related stakeholder groups. It is important to note that there is an ongoing need for financial and stakeholder support and to not lose focus as the program approaches full implementation. While the number of remaining policies to be fully implemented is decreasing, a continued effort is required to address all significant threat policies as we approach the established implementation deadlines,” Source Protection Committee for Saugeen, Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula Source Protection Region.

Source protection plan policies address 21 activities (such as fuel or chemical storage; among others) that can pose a significant threat to municipal drinking water sources in certain circumstances (for example, in certain quantities and in the most vulnerable locations such as municipal wellhead protection areas).

Source Protection Committee Guiding Principles
We value:

· Comprehensive, science-based research
· Recognizing and engaging all members of the community as valued stakeholders
· Informed decision-making through communication, education and responsiveness to community enquiries
· Being open and transparent
· Sustainable and long-term decision making

To find out more, please visit your local source protection region website at home.waterprotection.ca, to review the public Annual Progress Report document or contact Program Manager Carl Seider: [email protected]

Thank you for all you do to keep our local municipal drinking water sources safe and clean.

source: media release, Grey Sauble Conservation