Recharge Policy

For applications under the Planning Act within the Tier 3 Water Budget
WHPA-Q2 identified as having significant water quantity threats, the
relevant Planning Approval Authority shall ensure recharge reduction does
not become a significant drinking water threat by:

1) Requiring new development for lands zoned Low Density Residential
(excluding subdivisions) or zoned Agricultural to implement best
management practices such as Low Impact Development (LID) with the goal
to maintain predevelopment recharge.

2) Requiring that all site plan (excluding an application for one single family
dwelling) and subdivision applications for new residential, commercial,
industrial and institutional uses provide a water balance assessment for the
proposed development to the satisfaction of the Planning Approval
Authority which addresses each of the following requirements:
a) maintain pre-development recharge to the greatest extent
feasible through best management practices such as LID,
minimizing impervious surfaces, and lot level infiltration;
b) where pre-development recharge cannot be maintained on site,
implement and maximize off-site recharge enhancement (within
the same WHPA-Q2) to compensate for any predicted loss of
recharge from the development; and

3) Only approving settlement area expansions as part of a municipal
comprehensive review where it has been demonstrated that recharge
functions will be maintained on lands designated Significant Groundwater
Recharge Areas within WHPA-Q2.

4) Amending municipal planning documents to reference most current
Assessment Reports in regards to the Significant Groundwater Recharge
Areas within WHPA-Q2.

Y-1(3): The municipality or planning authority shall prepare, by February 1 each year, an annual summary of the actions it has taken to achieve the outcomes of the source protection plan policies for the preceding calendar year, and make that report available to the applicable Municipalities and the Source Protection Authority.