Policy Text:
To ensure the existing and/or future application of road salt does not become or ceases to be a significant drinking water threat where this activity is or would be a significant threat, this activity shall be designated for the purpose of Section 58 of the Clean Water Act, 2006 and a Risk Management Plan shall be required within the following areas and for the following activities:
a. Existing:
i. Application of Salt on Roadways;
i. In Wellhead Protection Areas A and B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. Where a Chloride and/or a Sodium Issue has been identified, in all Wellhead Protection Areas
ii. Application on Parking Lots;
i. In Wellhead Protection Areas A and B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10), for medium or large parking lots;
ii. In Intake Protection Zone One (1), for medium and large parking lots;
iii. Where a Chloride and/or a Sodium Issue has been identified in all Wellhead Protection Areas, for medium and large parking lots;
b. Future:
i. Application of Salt on Roadways that would occur as the result of the approval of a Planning Act, Condominium Act, or Ontario Building Code application or upon completion of an Environmental Assessment in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act;
i. In Wellhead Protection Area B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10);
ii. Where a Chloride and/or Sodium Issue has been identified, in all Wellhead Protection Areas except for Wellhead Protection Area A.
ii. Application on Parking Lots that would occur as the result of the approval of a Planning Act, Condominium Act or Ontario Building Code application;
i. In Wellhead Protection Area A, for medium parking lots;
ii. In Wellhead Protection Area B where the vulnerability is equal to ten (10), for medium or large parking lots;
iii. Where a Chloride and/or Sodium Issue has been identified, in all Wellhead Protection Areas except for Wellhead Protection Area A for medium and large parking lots.
The Risk Management Plan for application of salt on large and medium parking lots shall contain, as a minimum, management practices that achieve a performance standard equivalent to that of an accredited site under the Smart About Salt program to reduce the impact of de-icing activities and for new parking lots include design considerations for driving areas and sidewalks to reduce impacts to drinking water sources.
The Risk Management Plan for application of salt on roadways shall include, as a minimum, measures to ensure application rate, timing and location reduce the potential for surface water runoff and groundwater infiltration and meet the objectives of Environment Canada's Code of Practice for Environmental Management of Road Salts including identification of areas where significant threats can occur as Vulnerable Areas and management practices in these areas.