About Keeping Water Clean
We thank you for all you do to protect local municipal sources of drinking water.
If you live, work, or own property in a highly vulnerable aquifer or significant groundwater recharge area, or in a wellhead protection area or intake protection zone, you are in a vulnerable area. That means that what you do at home and at work has a greater chance of having an impact on your local municipal drinking water sources.
Everything that goes onto the ground or down your sink and toilet or septic system could affect water. Help keep your community’s drinking water safe. Your actions matter.
Help keep drinking water sources clean
Here are some ways you can help to protect your local supply of clean, safe water:
- Take used engine oil to recycling facilities.
- If you have a septic system, have it inspected and pumped every three to five years.
- If you can reduce quantities, or find alternatives to harmful chemicals, please do so.
- Never dump these things on the ground, down the sink, or in the toilet: Paints; thinners; furniture strippers; coolants; cleaners; glues, adhesives; gasoline; oil; diesel; heating fuel; de-greasers; resins; creosote; etc. If it’s something you don’t want in your water then please don’t put it on the ground or down a pipe.
- Dispose properly at hazardous waste days or approved sites – at your business, contract a firm that specializes in proper waste disposal.
- If you apply pesticides or fertilizers or nutrients make sure you follow best practices.
- Prevent spills and contain spills. Report spills if they happen to Ontario Spills Action Centre: 1-800-268-6060 or visit this link: Ontario Spills Action Centre Reporting.
- Protect and maintain your private well. Wells provide pathways for contaminants to enter groundwater.
- If you have a well, be sure it is sealed properly and if you own a well you no longer use, have it properly decommissioned by a licensed well technician.
Visit the official source protection region website (sourcewaterinfo.on.ca), for the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield source protection areas, to find out more.
Your help is needed to keep water clean and safe.
Your actions matter.
Read this fact sheet to learn more: