How you can help protect Ottawa’s drinking water

[guest]

Protecting drinking water starts at the source.

Did you know that many things we do in our homes and on our properties directly affect local water quality? Water treatment and testing ensure that Ottawa’s tap water is safe to drink, but the groundwater aquifers and rivers that supply the water can become stressed over time. Sometimes problems can develop that are expensive and difficult or even impossible to correct through water treatment

The good news is that we have a plan to protect drinking water at the source! Under Ontario’s Clean Water Act, local Source Protection Plans were established. The plans map out Drinking Water Protection Zones near Ottawa’s drinking water sources, and set out the actions we can take to best help protect them from contamination.

Drinking Water Protection Zones are located near municipal wells (called Wellhead Protection Areas) or near rivers upstream of municipal water intakes (called Intake Protection Zones). In these zones, contaminants can more easily reach the water’s source, so these areas require special precautions to ensure the water source remains clean.

Our Source Protection Plans set out policies to reduce the risk posed by potential drinking water threats, including some mandatory measures, mainly for governments, industry and some higher risk activities (such as storing a large amount of fuel or chemicals). But the success of the plans also depends on voluntary action taken by everyone who lives and works in a Drinking Water Protection Zone.

In the City of Ottawa, these communities have Wellhead Protection Areas: Carp, Munster Hamlet, Richmond (King’s Park Subdivision), Greely (Shadow Ridge Subdivision) and Vars. We also have two Intake Protection Zones: Britannia and Lemieux Island. Check out the map to find out if you live in one of the Drinking Water Protection Zones.

Small actions make a big difference.

If we all make some small changes, it can make a big difference to our precious drinking water sources. There are plenty of simple ways you can help protect the quality of Ottawa’s drinking water.

• In the house:
  • Go natural! Use environmentally friendly products or try good old vinegar or baking soda, which can do the work of most commercial household cleaners.
  • Conserve water. Using less water reduces the burden on rivers and groundwater aquifers as well as on wastewater treatment facilities. Also, too little water in a source can mean contaminants are more concentrated and may rise above safe levels.
  • Not down the drain! Properly dispose of hazardous substances such as paint and pharmaceuticals. Get more information on safe disposal.
  • Ensure furnace oil tanks are in good repair and inspected annually by a qualified person.
• In the yard:
  • Gardeners: turn your green thumb blue by using compost instead of chemical fertilizers, planting native, drought tolerant species and installing a rain barrel for watering.
  • When landscaping, choose porous surfaces instead of concrete and asphalt. Fewer hard surfaces mean less stormwater runoff that carries pollutants to our rivers.
  • Planting trees and leaving your grass longer (eight centimetres or three inches) also helps!
• For rural residents:
  • Maintain your septic system to prevent bacteria and nutrient laden runoff.
  • Look after your private well and test your well water regularly.
  • Protect vegetation along the banks of streams and rivers.
  • Take advantage of the great tree planting and shoreline naturalization programs available locally (contact your conservation authority).
  • Preserve wetlands which help purify and replenish drinking water sources.
  • If you farm, consider participation in workshops such as the Environmental Farm Plan (contact the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association).

Check out our Source Protection page for more information, resources, and handy tips!

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