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; and
7) Update educational information as required and include specific policy related information about:
- Sewage
-Agriculture
-Pesticides
-Fertilizer
-Road Salt
-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); and
3) In municipalities that allow livestock in urban areas:
• Ensure the program highlights the potential of infectious diseases and pathogen exposure, and the importance of biosecurity measures; and
• Promote recommendations produced by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness.
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.
Road Salt
1) Develop and deliver an education and outreach program for all private roads, driveways, and parking lots (less than 50 spaces) to raise the awareness of the impact road salt has on drinking water sources and best management practices to help reduce the negative impact;
2) Develop and deliver an education and outreach program to all affected application companies making them aware of the vulnerable zones and the need to protect drinking water, describing and advocating alternative products and best management practices for the application of road salt;
3) Ensure the program highlights the temperature(s) at which road salt loses effectiveness;
4) The education and outreach program should be based on existing programs and materials, such as “Smart about Salt”; and
5) Distribute stickers to be placed on inside and outside of designated salt storage containers indicating the location is within a vulnerable area and highlighting best management measures.
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; and
4) Consider developing and erecting signage at boat launches within vulnerable areas indicating the location within a vulnerable area and contact numbers in the event of a spill.
DNAPLs/ Organic Solvents
1) Provide information about Household Hazardous Waste programs and other options for the disposal of products containing DNAPLs and organic solvents.
Applicable Areas:
- For the above threats that could be significant, the areas within the Quinte Source Protection Area where they could be significant threats.
- For the above threats that could be moderate or low, the areas within the Quinte Source Protection Area where they could be moderate or low threats.
Effective Date: Within two years of the Plan, or any plan amendment, as applicable, taking effect.