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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

OC-2.41

Upper Thames River

Significant

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MECP – NMA - ASM and NASM Inspections

Strategic

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

Future & Existing

Implemented

The Ministry undertakes an annual planned inspection program that addresses risk to human and environmental health at Agricultural sites. Inspections target Agricultural Source Material (ASM) and Non-Agricultural Source Material (NASM) as regulated under the Nutrient Management Act. An intentional, core function of the Nutrient Management Act is to keep nutrients, pathogens and contaminants away from wells and surface water which in turn support the objectives of Source Water Protection. Inspections are designed to prioritize operations which could present a higher risk to these features. Each year diagnostics are completed on the results of these various inspections. A total of 235 agricultural inspections were completed across Ontario in 2024. With 15 inspections completed within the Upper Thames River Source Protection Area. Of these 15 inspections, 8 inspections had instances of non-compliance, with 6 of these instances being resolved and 2 instances where abatement is ongoing.

Policy Text:

To reduce the risk to municipal drinking water sources from activities that are regulated under the Nutrient Management Act, where these activities are, or would be, a significant drinking water threat, the Province, through the Ministry of Environment Agricultural Officer, should consider source protection information as a criterion when setting inspection targets and priorities as part of the Ministry's on-farm compliance program.

Monitoring Text:

N/A