Source water protection in Ontario refers to the protection of the quantity and quality of water for use as current and future municipal water supply. The protection of source water through socially and environmentally responsible aggregate extraction is an important goal for all Ontarians as it directly relates to our health and economic well being. The precautionary principle is acknowledged as a key element of effectively dealing with source water issues.
As described in Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development v. Canada (Attorney General, 2008) at paragraphs 31-32: The precautionary principle is that “… environmental measures must anticipate, prevent, and attack the causes of environmental [source water in this circumstance] degradation. Where there are threats of serious irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.” The uncertainty and risk considerations related to source water protection can be addressed through the use of technically sound scientific study and adaptive management “…adaptive management permits projects with uncertain, yet potentially adverse environmental impacts to proceed based on flexible management strategies capable of adjusting to new information…”
Accordingly,
- SERA will define a framework for local field studies necessary to thoroughly evaluate potential excavation in the WHPA/IPZ zones and designated vulnerable areas identified in the “Maybe” areas.
- These studies will be undertaken taking into consideration of the difficulty in modeling and inherent uncertainty in predicting outcomes in below the water table extraction features such as fractured bedrock, highly heterogeneous permeability, karst features, headwaters, significant recharge areas, highly vulnerable aquifers, and watershed divides.
- Local field study requirements will vary based on the location of the aggregate application relative to the sensitivity of the source water protection area and its proximity to a municipal drinking water supply well, surface water intake, significant recharge area, and/or highly vulnerable aquifer.
- The local field studies will be conducted in accordance with best industry practices
- Studies and mitigation plans submitted for the site demonstrate that the proposed aggregate operation will not negatively impact the quantity and/or quality of municipal drinking water supplies and designated vulnerable areas.
- AMP’s will be implemented as necessary to address remaining uncertainty and risk and ensure source water conditions are protected. It is also acknowledged that aggregate operations should be designed and operated to protect private water supplies from potential effects of the aggregate operations with proactive measures to address any related water supply impacts or complaints.