Policy Interface

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Policy

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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

PATH-2-NLB

Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley

Non-specific

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP - Wells

Strategic

Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives

Future & Existing

Implemented: Policy outcome(s) evaluated - No further action(s) required

The ministry has reviewed and considered the policy. Ontario has a strong and robust legislative and regulatory framework for licensing well contractors and well technicians, as well as for the construction, maintenance and abandonment of wells. Recent amendments made to the Wells Regulation (Reg. 903) took effect January 1, 2020. The Water Supply Wells – Requirements and Best Management Practices manual published by the Ministry also provides best management practices and recommended techniques that help a person constructing and abandoning a well to protect and minimize adverse impacts to our environment. The ministry will continue to report on any actions resulting from the review of the policy.

Policy Text:

The MOE is strongly encouraged to undertake an updated risk-based program analysis of the compliance program associated with the Wells Regulation [R.R.O., 1990 Regulation 903 (Wells) as amended, made under the Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O., 1990, c. O. 40].

The program analysis should consider:

Increased MOE field presence with well contractors
Complaint response prioritization where the presence of a transport pathway would endanger sources of municipal drinking water
Focussing resources in areas where improperly constructed, maintained or abandoned wells may increase the potential threat to municipal drinking water sources
Action to implement this policy should be initiated within two years from the date the Source Protection Plan takes effect.

Monitoring Text:

MON-8-NLB Annual Report from the MOE — Non-Legally Binding Policies
By February 1 of each year, the MOE is requested to provide the Source Protection Authority with a summary of implementation activities for the previous calendar year related to non-legally binding policies where the MOE is the implementer.