For Immediate Release

Owen Sound, ON – The Source Protection Committee for the Saugeen, Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula Source Protection Region is pleased to announce that the Assessment Reports for the three local Source Protection Areas have been approved by the Director, Source Protection Programs Branch at the Ministry of the Environment. These items received approval under Section 15 of the Clean Water Act, 2006, the notice of approval is posted on the Environmental Registry (http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca) as per Section 18 of this Act.

The Drinking Water Source Protection Assessment Reports for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Source Protection Area, the Saugeen Valley Source Protection Area and the Grey Sauble Source Protection Area were posted as approved on January 24, 2012.

“The Assessment Reports are science-based documents that provide a strong technical foundation for the committee moving forward in the Source Protection Planning process. I am very pleased to have these approvals under our belt as we move forward,” commented Mike Traynor, Chairman of the Source Protection Committee.

The Assessment Reports are technical documents that contain information about the watersheds in the Source Protection Areas including water quantity and quality data as well as information on where sources of drinking water are vulnerable. Activities that are significant threats to municipal drinking water supplies are also included in these reports. The approved Assessment Reports with maps are available for viewing at www.waterprotection.ca in the Reports section.

With approval of these documents, the Source Protection Committee will be applying its time and energy to the completion of the Draft Source Protection Plan and its policies which is due for submission to the Ministry of the Environment on August 20, 2012. Public consultation on this Plan will take place during 2012 through public meetings, public access to content and postings of the plan and its policies on the www.waterprotection.ca website.

Drinking Water Source Protection is a program governed by legislation and regulations of the Clean Water Act, 2006. The Source Protection Plan is a science based document that is locally driven and written for this Source Protection Region. Source Protection Plans must be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment by August 20, 2012.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Don Smith, Project Manager, d.smith@waterprotection.ca or 519-470-3000 x101
David Ellingwood, Program Supervisor, d.ellingwood@waterprotection.ca or 519-470-3000 x102