Policy Interface

Previous Policy

Policy

Next Policy

Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

DEM-1

Central Lake Ontario, Credit Valley, Toronto

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP – Permit to Take Water

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Existing

Implemented

In the Central Lake Ontario, Credit Valley Source Protection Area there are currently 2 WHPA-Qs with high stress levels (Acton, Orangeville) which is where long-term existing takings are a significant drinking water threats and require review. Within the Acton WHPA-Q, in Halton Hills, there are three long-term existing permits issued to Region of Halton. Within the Orangeville WHPA-Q, there are three existing permits issued to the Town of Orangeville and the Town of Mono. All existing Permits to Take Water that are located within a WHAP-Q1 with a significant risk level have been reviewed. During the review it was determined that the only active permits in WHAP-Q1 with a significant risk level are municipal water supply permits and short-term, non-recurring construction permits. The standard terms and conditions already included in permits are included to manage the threat to municipal takings for these construction permits due to their short-term and non-recurring nature. The review concluded that the municipal water supply permits do not require any amendments at this time. The Ministry will continue to work with the Region of Halton as they consider the results of their Tier 3 water budget and how best to incorporate the results into their water supply program to ensure long-term sustainability. In 2023, one new permit for a long-term taking was issued in the Orangeville WHPA-Q area. The permit underwent a detailed review, and conditions have been included within the permit to manage the threat. The ministry will consider the relevant Source Protection policies for certain permit applications as part of the review process as they are received and, where appropriate, include conditions for new/increased permits that would constitute SDWTs to ensure protection of municipal water supplies.

MECP – Permit to Take Water

Conform with

Prescribed Instruments

Future

Implemented

As part of the PTTW review and decision making process, the ministry will use best available science to assess the sustainability and potential impacts to municipal drinking water systems, other users, and the environment. The ministry considers relevant Source Protection policies as part of the application evaluation and review process and, where appropriate, includes conditions for new/increased permits that would constitute SDWTs to ensure protection of municipal water supplies.

Policy Text:

See DEM-1-b (Policy Database ID 4777) for Moderate Risk Level.

Within the Tier 3 Water Budget WHPA-Q1 where a water taking is or would be a significant water quantity threat the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall ensure each water taking threat ceases to be, or does not become significant, through actions the Director considers appropriate on a case by case basis, such as:

1) Reviewing all existing Permits To Take Water, located within WHPA-Q1 with a significant risk level, in consultation with the other Ministries (as required), the affected municipality, relevant conservation authorities, and permit holders, and amend the permits where necessary to ensure:
a) that municipal water supply requirements for the allocated and planned quantity (per the current approved population and employment projections of the most recent Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe) will be met on a sustainable basis; and
b) that the hydrological integrity of municipal wells in the vulnerable areas will be maintained.
2) Issuing Permits To Take Water for new or increased takings, located within WHPA-Q1 with moderate or significant risk levels, only if it can be satisfactorily demonstrated, using the findings of the most recently approved Tier 3 Water Budget Model and other available data, where appropriate, that the taking:
a) can be maintained on a sustainable basis;
b) will not affect the ability of the aquifer to meet the municipal water supply requirements for the current and planned service capacity; and
c) will ensure the hydrological integrity of municipal wells will be maintained.

Timelines:
T-1: Prescribed Instruments (existing) shall be reviewed (and amended, as necessary) within 3 years of the date the Source Protection Plan takes effect, or such other date as the Director determines.
T-3: The relevant Ministry shall comply with the Prescribed Instrument policy (future) immediately upon the date the Source Protection Plan takes effect.

Monitoring Text:

(MON-4): The provincial ministry shall, by February 1 of each year, prepare and submit a report to the Source Protection Authority on the actions taken in the previous calendar year to achieve the outcomes of the source protection policy. Reporting shall include information related to the effectiveness of the policies in ensuring a threat ceases to be, or does not become significant, and any actions required to respond to a drinking water threat during the reporting period.