Ontario FlagWater is a precious natural resource in Ontario, unfortunately incidents of water contamination in Walkerton and North Battleford have shown how damaging the consequences can be if we do not protect our water resources.

In the past, emphasis has been placed on treating water to ensure it is safe to drink. Yet, as treatment and infrastructure renewal costs rise and unfortunate cases of drinking water contamination occur, much more can be done to protect drinking water sources through a multi-barrier approach. By taking a preventative approach, water source can be protected before they become contaminated.

Protecting drinking water at the source is the first step in a multi-barrier approach and an important part of ensuring the health of people, ecosystems and economies. Provincial laws, such as the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act, regulate steps in the multi-barrier approach, including effective water treatment, adequate testing, rigorous monitoring, operator training, water takings and preventing industrial pollution. The new Clean Water Act, with its emphasis on prevention, completes the multi-barrier approach of source to tap protection of drinking water.

Adapted from Pollution Probe's Act for Clean Water