For Immediate Release

Owen Sound – After more than eight years of technical studies, public consultation and hard work, the Source Protection Committee is pleased to announce the Approved Source Protection Plan, including recent amendments, is in effect for the Saugeen, Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula Source Protection Region.

“With the effective date for the Source Protection Plan policies, municipalities and implementing bodies can begin implementing the Plan and help to protect our shared drinking water sources,” stated Source Protection Committee Chair Mike Traynor.

This Plan sets out policies that use a variety of approaches to protect drinking water including education and outreach, the development of risk management plans, prohibition, land use planning,
and monitoring. These policies will help keep contaminants out of our aquifers, rivers and lakes that are sources of municipal drinking water. The policies in the Approved Plan are effective July 1, 2016, with the amendments for Events-based areas and water quantity threats effective on July 15, 2016.

The source protection planning process is directed and funded by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in conjunction with municipalities.

For more information and to view maps of vulnerable areas where policies apply please visit our website: www.waterprotection.ca.

Quick Facts:

This Region is home to more than 160,000 people and covers approximately 8400 square kilometres.

The Source Protection Region contains 38 municipal residential drinking water systems including 29 groundwater sources (aquifers), 8 surface water sources, and 1 combined system.

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For more information contact:

Carl Seider, Project Manager, c.seider@waterprotection.ca 519-470-3000 x 102
Mike Traynor, Source Protection Committee Chair, mail@waterprotection.ca 519-470-3000 x 109