Policy Text:
Each municipality within the Source Protection Planning Area where drinking water threats could occur shall:
1) Develop and deliver an education and outreach program to all affected landowners and stakeholders making them aware of the vulnerable areas and the need to protect drinking water, describing any mandatory requirements and best management practices;
2) Harmonize the program with any existing education and outreach programs and share with other municipalities where this would result in increased efficiency and reduced cost;
3) Consult and cooperate with the Ontario Ministries, Health Units and Source Protection Authority (and any other agencies or stakeholders) to assist with the development and delivery of the education and outreach program where possible;
4) Describe the need for the preparation of emergency and spill contingency plans, and the process for doing so;
5) Ensure the program explains any incentive programs that may be available related to the specific significant threats;
6) Promote voluntary action to protect sources of drinking water and water conservation measures such as water saving fixtures, tips on how to save water in the house, water conserving appliances;
7) Update educational information as required and include specific policy related information about:
* Sewage
* Agriculture
* Pesticides
* Fertilizer
* Fuel
* DNAPLs
* Organic Solvents
Sewage
1) Ensure the program explains the purpose, details and implications of the onsite private sewage system inspection program; and
2) Ensure the program explains any mandatory decommissioning of existing on-site private sewage systems and any corresponding requirement to connect into an existing municipal sewage system.
Agriculture
1) Promote Environmental Farm Plan participation, voluntary nutrient management strategies and plans for farms where it is not a mandatory requirement under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002; and
2) Promote widespread adoption of best management practices for haulers/spreaders (e.g. pre-treatment of septage, method of incorporation into soil and timing of application).
Commercial Fertilizer/Pesticide
1) Develop and deliver an education and outreach program to all affected landowners, municipal works departments, and application companies making them aware of the vulnerable zones and the need to protect drinking water, describing any mandatory requirements and best management practices for the application of commercial fertilizers;
2) Ensure the program explains the purpose and details of any fertilizer/pesticide free buffer zones around sensitive environmental features;
3) Promote the use of soil tests for determining fertilizer application rates, use of slow release fertilizers, and record keeping; and
4) Advocate the use of alternatives to pesticide such as natural and eco-friendly methods that do not rely on pesticides.
Fuel
1) Ensure the program explains to TSSA, Canadian Oil Heat Association, Fuel Delivery Agents and Heating Oil Contractors the purpose, details and implications of appropriate Codes and Regulations on the use and maintenance of oil burning equipment; including the annual maintenance, inspection, and filling requirements as specified in Section 13 of the CSA Ontario Installation Code for Oil-Burning Equipment (Based on CSA B139, with Ontario Amendments) 1st Edition/2006. Explain the importance of protecting drinking water and the location of vulnerable areas;
2) Distribute stickers to be placed on the tank and fill pipes indicating the location within a vulnerable area and contact numbers in the event of a spill; and
3) Educate insurance, real estate companies and banks on the threats associated with fuel while emphasizing awareness of the location of the vulnerable zones and measures being taken by property owners, fuel delivery agents and home heating oil contractors.
DNAPLS/ Organic Solvents
Provide information about Household Hazardous Waste programs and other options for the disposal of products containing DNAPLs and organic solvents.
Implementer: Municipality
Applicable Areas: This policy applies to the following areas:
The Quinte Source Protection Region
Tools: Education and Outreach pursuant to Section 26 of Ontario Regulation 287/07 and Section 22(7) of the Clean Water Act, 2006.
Legal Effect:
Must conform (See Appendix C, List E) - for significant threats
Strategic (See Appendix C, List J) - for moderate and low threats
Effective Date: Within two years of the Plan taking effect.
Monitoring Policy (See Appendix C, List F and J):
The municipality shall report annually to the Quinte Source Protection Authority by February 1st on activities undertaken during the previous calendar year, as part of the education and outreach program for significant threats.