Policy Text:
To ensure that any Consumptive Water Taking never becomes a significant drinking water threat, where this activity would be a significant drinking water threat as prescribed by the CWA, the MECP shall issue PTTWs and / or Drinking Water Works Permits which ensure that the Municipal Supply will not be adversely impacted. To achieve this, the MECP, where appropriate, shall consider the following in its evaluation of PTTW and / or Drinking Water Works Permit applications:
i. requiring permit applicants to use the Tier 3 Model,
ii. Tier 3 Study results / recommendations;
iii. Water supply requirements for planned growth and prolonged drought outlined in Water Supply Master Plans; and
iv. 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 approval 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 to the County, Municipalities and GRCA and have due regard for comments from the GRCA, County and Municipalities regarding new or revised applications for PTTW and Drinking Water Works Permits and new or revised conditions of approvals related thereto.
Recognizing the results of the Tier 3 Study demonstrate that new municipal water supplies are required to meet planned growth, the MECP shall prioritize preconsultation, engagement and information sharing with the County, where appropriate, any relevant Municipalities and the GRCA for new or expanded municipal takings that could improve the assigned risk level for the Centre Wellington WHPA-Q.