Drinking Water Threats
Everyday actions—such as applying fertilizer, storing and using fuels or solvents, or even maintaining gardens—can influence the quality of drinking water in the Thames-Sydenham and Region.
To protect drinking water sources, the Clean Water Act, 2006 requires the identification of activities that may pose a risk within vulnerable areas of each source protection region. In response, a thorough evaluation was carried out to identify such activities across all vulnerable areas.
How Drinking Water Can Be Affected
Drinking water can be affected when:
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Substances leak or spill onto the ground
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rain or snowmelt carries materials into nearby water
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contaminants soak into soil and move through groundwater
Preventing these pathways is the focus of Source Water Protection.
Drinking Water Threats
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Waste and Sewage Management
Waste and sewage can contain bacteria, nutrients, and chemicals that may contaminate groundwater or surface water if systems fail, leak, or are improperly managed.
Salt and Snow
Salt and de-icing chemicals dissolve easily in water and can build up in groundwater and surface water over time, affecting drinking water quality and ecosystems.
Nutrients, Fertilizers, Pesticides
Nutrients and organic materials can move into water through runoff or seepage, especially during rain or snowmelt, affecting water quality and making treatment more difficult.
Fuels
Chemicals
Even small leaks or spills of industrial chemicals can contaminate soil and groundwater, and some of these substances are very difficult to remove once they enter water sources.
Land and Water Use Activities
Even small leaks or spills of fuels can contaminate soil and groundwater, and some of these substances are very difficult to remove once they enter water sources.
How land and water are used can affect both the quality and quantity of drinking water, potentially increasing contamination risks or reducing the amount of water available for communities.
What This Means For Property Owners
Most everyday activities do not pose a risk to drinking water. However, if your property is located close to a municipal drinking water well or surface water intake, and you carry out certain activities, additional drinking water protection policies may apply.
These policies are designed to reduce the risk of contamination in areas where drinking water is more vulnerable. Requirements vary depending on location and the type of activity, and many properties are not affected.
To find out what applies to your property:
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Check your location using the map tool
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Contact your local Source Water Protection office for guidance