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What is drinking water source protection?
Source water is the raw, untreated water that we take from lakes, rivers and underground aquifers to supply people with drinking water. “Drinking water source protection” means protecting these sources of drinking water from contamination and overuse. The focus is on prevention.
What are source protection plans?
Source protection plans contain certain policies to protect local drinking water sources. The Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Plans, which took effect on April 1st, 2015, were developed by a local source protection committee. Most of the policies in the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield source protection plan apply only to wellhead protection areas. These are zones immediately surrounding municipal wells.
In these protection zones the water sources are particularly vulnerable to contamination activities such as fuel storage, septic systems, chemical storage, and application of pesticides, fertilizers and manure. Source protection plan policies regulate these types of activities to prevent potential contamination.
Am I located near a municipal well?
North Perth has seven municipal wells. To learn more about these wells and their locations, view these wellhead protection area maps:
Road signs
We have installed drinking water protection zone signs throughout the municipality. These signs raise awareness about our drinking water sources and protect our health. You will see the signs as you enter and exit the drinking water protection zones surrounding a municipal well.
An important part of protecting water supplies is knowing where our water is most vulnerable to contamination. The new road signs will help to create public awareness and remind us that our actions and activities in these sensitive areas matter.
Protecting drinking water sources at work and home
Watch the “Ways to Protect Drinking Water Sources at Work and Home” YouTube video, created by the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region, to learn ways industrial and commercial operations can reduce risk to our municipal drinking water sources. The video also includes best management practices for industrial, commercial and agricultural operations, as well as some ways you can protect drinking water sources in your home.