Policy Text:
For existing transport pathways (wells) within Wellhead Protection Areas:
1) Each municipality should require the decommissioning of known abandoned wells and upgrading or decommissioning of wells that do not meet the requirements of Regulation 903;
2) Each municipality should require wells constructed prior to the passing of Regulation 903 be upgraded to meet the current requirements for new well construction; and
3) The Ministry of the Environment is strongly encouraged to undertake an updated risk-based program analysis of the compliance program associated with the Wells Regulation 903 as amended, made under the Ontario Water Resources Act.
a. The program analysis should consider:
i. Increased MOE field presence with well contractors,
ii. Complaint response prioritization where the presence of a transport pathway would endanger sources of municipal drinking water, and
iii. Focusing resources in areas where improperly constructed, maintained or abandoned wells may increase the potential threat to municipal drinking water
sources.
Implementer: Ministry of the Environment and Municipality
Applicable Areas: This policy applies to the following areas: WHPA A, B and C – Deloro, Madoc, Tweed, Point Anne and Peats Point.
Tools: Transport Pathway policy pursuant to Section 27 of Ontario Regulation 287/07.
Legal Effect: Strategic (See Appendix C, List J)
Effective Date: Within three years of the Plan taking effect.