Policy Text:
To ensure that any Consumptive Water Taking ceases to be a significant drinking water threat, where this activity is a significant drinking water threat as prescribed by the CWA, the MECP shall review and, if necessary, amend existing PTTWs and / or Drinking Water Works Permits to ensure that the Municipal Supply will not be adversely impacted, taking into consideration Tier 3 Study results / recommendations, water supply requirements for planned growth and prolonged drought outlined in Water Supply Master Plans and available data, reports and / or recommendations from monitoring programs established pursuant to policies in the County of Wellington Chapter of the Grand River Source Protection Plan. The MECP, where appropriate, shall consider establishing conditions in PTTWs and Drinking Water Works Permits to achieve this objective including but not limited to conditions which require:
a. groundwater and surface water monitoring related to municipal drinking water supplies;
b. assessment of demand management: water needs assessment (review of permitted maximum takings) and water efficiency measures;
c. a phased approach to assess impacts;
d. information sharing with the MECP, County, Municipalities and conservation authorities including a condition of approval for permit holders to provide Municipalities and conservation authorities technical reports and monitoring data gathered pursuant to a condition of the PTTW (as per bullet a.) above);
e. measures to increase the optimization of the municipal water supply system
where appropriate; and
f. drought management planning for drought sensitive wells/systems.
The MECP shall circulate Environmental Registry notices for proposed new or amended PTTWs and Drinking Water Works Permits to the County, Municipalities
and GRCA and have due regard for comments from the GRCA, County, and the Municipalities regarding proposed new or amended PTTWs and Drinking Water
Works Permits and new or revised conditions of approvals related thereto.
For new or expanded municipal takings that could improve the assigned risk level for the Centre Wellington WHPA-Q, the MECP shall ensure pre-consultation, engagement and information sharing with the County, any relevant Municipalities and the GRCA and shall include use of the Tier 3 Model, Tier 3 Study results / recommendations and Water Supply Master Plan results / recommendations to ensure the provision and distribution of municipal water supply to support County population and growth forecasts.