Notice as per Section 34 of the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006, and Ontario Regulation 287/07
Date of Notice: January 3, 2018
Written comments accepted until: February 8, 2018
This notice advises you that the Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority (SPA), on behalf of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region (SPR), has proposed amendments to the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Plans and Assessment Reports. These amendments include new technical work and maps to incorporate both new and revised wellhead protection areas for:
- Benmiller
- Blyth
- Dungannon
- Molesworth
- Ripley
- Varna
A revision to two policies is also proposed. If you own property or conduct activities in these wellhead protection areas (Zones A, B, and C) these changes may affect you. Persons engaged in activities that are assessed as significant threats to drinking water sources are required to follow source protection plan policies.
- Download Notice now at this link: Notice of Amendments to Source Protection Plans and Assessment Reports
- Download advertisement now at this link: Advertisement – Notice of Amendments to Source Protection Plans and Assessment Reports
- Downloads news release now at this link: News Release – Notice Proposed Amendments ARs Source Protection Plans – January 3, 2018
Inspect and Review the Changes in Person:
You are invited to inspect and review the proposed amendments in person at one or the other of the two source protection authority offices during regular business hours at the following locations:
- Maitland Conservation, 1093 Marietta Street, Wroxeter, 519-335-3557.
- Ausable Bayfield Conservation, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, 519-235-2610.
Attend Open Houses:
To learn more and to ask questions you are invited to call one of the phone numbers above, or call toll-free 1-888-286-2610, and/or to attend one or both of the following Open Houses:
- Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
Blyth and District Community Centre, 377 Gypsy Lane, Blyth - Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Stanley Community Centre / Stanley Complex, 38594 Mill Road, Varna
Inspect and Review the Changes on the Internet:
You are invited to inspect and review the proposed amendments, to the source protection plans and assessment reports, and the related updated portion of the Explanatory Document, online on the Internet at the local source protection website at this link: www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca.
Provide Written Comments:
You may submit written comments, on proposed amendments to Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield source protection plans and assessment reports, by Thursday, February 8, 2018, to:
Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority
On behalf of Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Region,
71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, ON N0M 1S5
You are also invited to email your written comments to this address: info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca
News release:
Public invited to comment on proposed amendments to assessment reports, source protection plans for Maitland Valley, Ausable Bayfield areas
DATE OF ISSUE: January 3, 2018
The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region has posted a notice of proposed amendments to assessment reports and source protection plans for the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield source protection areas. The local source protection authority is proposing the amendments to reflect recent changes, in six area well systems: Benmiller; Blyth; Dungannon; Molesworth; Ripley; and Varna. A revision to two policies is also proposed. The source protection authority issued the notice on January 3, 2018.
People can review and inspect the changes and provide written comments to the source protection authority until February 8, 2018. You are invited to review the proposed amendments and the new mapping on the Internet at www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca.
“As local municipalities add wells, or decommission wells, there is a need to reflect these changes in the assessment reports, wellhead protection area mapping, and source protection plans,” said Geoffrey Cade, Program Supervisor with the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region. “When wells are added, this may result in some additional properties being included in source protection planning policies.”
The Program Supervisor said that, in cases where municipal wells are no longer in place, some properties may be removed from previously mapped wellhead protection areas. “In those cases, source protection planning policies would no longer be in effect for those properties,” he said.
Interested people may attend public open houses to ask questions at the following locations:
- Blyth, Monday, January 22, 2018, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Blyth and District Community Centre, 377 Gypsy Lane.
- Varna, Tuesday, January 23, 2018, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Stanley Community Centre/Stanley Complex, 38594 Mill Road.
You are invited to review and inspect the proposed amendments in person at the source protection authority offices during regular business hours at the following locations: Maitland Conservation, 1093 Marietta Street, Wroxeter, 519-335-3557; or Ausable Bayfield Conservation, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, 519-235-2610.
If you would like to submit written comments about the proposed amendments and policy changes, you may submit those comments, by February 8, 2018 to: Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Authority, on behalf of Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region, 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter, ON, N0M 1S5. You are also invited to email your written comments to: info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca
To find out more about wellhead protection areas, activities that may be considered a possible significant threat to drinking water, and source protection plan policies and mapping, visit sourcewaterinfo.on.ca and ontario.ca.
Explanatory Document
The Explanatory Document has been revised to include the rationale for the proposed changes to two policies. The revised document, with changes noted, is available at this link:
The revised Explanatory Document is also available for public review and inspection – during regular business hours – at the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield source protection authority offices. The changes to Policy P.12.1 and Policy P.12.2 are marked in the revised document.
- For Policy P.12.1 – the following amended wording is added:
The policy was revised in 2018 to provide more flexibility in the type of applications that are reviewed by Risk Management Officials.
- For Policy P.12.2 – the following amended wording is added:
In 2018 this policy was revised to extend the timeline for risk management plan (RMP) completion to five years. Risk Management Officials requested a longer timeline, and the five-year timeline is consistent with policies in other source protection regions in the area.
Summary of Proposed Amendments:
The proposed amendments include new technical work and maps to incorporate both new and revised municipal wellhead protection areas (WHPAs).
A revision to the Restricted Land Use policy (P.12.1) and Risk Management Plan timeline policy (P.12.2) is also proposed.
Other than policies P.12.1 and P.12.2, there are no proposed policy changes to the approved Source Protection Plans. However, the existing Source Protection Plan policies would now apply to the new wellhead protection areas (WHPAs).
Changes include:
1. Revision to the Blyth Wellhead Protection Area to include new well #5 in the Municipality of North Huron.
2. Addition of the Varna municipal drinking water system. This former community well system was assumed by the Municipality of Bluewater in 2017.
3. Adjustment of the Molesworth Wellhead Protection Area as a result of a replacement well that was drilled next to the existing well building.
4. Adjustment of the Benmiller Wellhead Protection Area as a result of a replacement well near the existing well building.
5. Revision of the Dungannon Wellhead Protection Area to reflect recent removal of Well #1, which was decommissioned in 2017 due to elevated arsenic levels.
6. Addition of the Ripley municipal drinking water system, in the Township of Huron-Kinloss. Ripley is located in the Saugeen Source Protection Area (SPA), outside the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley (ABMV) Source Protection Region. However, as a result of recent changes to the drinking water system and subsequent re-delineation of the wellhead protection area, the Ripley WHPA now extends into the Maitland Valley Source Protection Area (SPA). As such, the system must be included in the Maitland Valley Source Protection Plan (SPP).
7. Revision of Policy P.12.1 – Restricted Land Use: This policy would be revised to allow municipal Risk Management Officials to provide written direction to municipal staff about the types of applications that could be excluded from Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006 Part IV Section 59 screening, allowing more flexibility in the type of applications that require review by Risk Management Officials.
Current Section 59 Policy:
Policy P.12.1 – Section 59 Restricted Land Use Policy
In accordance with Section 59(1) of the Clean Water Act, all land uses set out within the official plans or zoning by-laws for the municipalities where this Source Protection Plan is in effect, are designated as restricted land uses in all areas where designated threats are or would be significant. In effect, a person shall not construct or change the use of a building in any location, or make an application under the Planning Act or Condominium Act where Section 57 (Prohibition) or Section 58 (Risk Management Plan) applies unless the Risk Management Official issues a notice under S. 59 to the person.
Proposed addition to above policy:
Despite the above policy, a Risk Management Official may issue written direction specifying the circumstances under which a planning authority or building official may be permitted to make the determination that a site-specific land use is not designated for the purposes of Section 59. Where such direction has been issued, a site-specific land use that is the subject of an application for approval under the Planning Act or the Condominium Act, or for a permit under the Building Code Act, is not designated for the purposes of Section 59, provided that the planning authority or building official, as the case may be, is satisfied that:
- The application complies with the circumstances specified in the written direction from the Risk Management Official; and
- The applicant has demonstrated that a significant drinking water threat activity designated for the purposes of Section 57 or 58 will not be engaged in, or will not be affected by the application.
8. Revision of Policy P.12.2 – Effective Date for Section 58 Risk Management Plan Policies: This policy would be revised to extend the timeline for risk management plan completion from three years to five years. This extension is proposed in order to permit all municipally-appointed Risk Management Officials to work co-operatively with affected landowners in preparing Risk Management Plans geared to protecting sources of municipal drinking water. In addition, the five-year timeline is consistent with neighbouring regions and will allow landowners additional time to comply with the policies.
Policy P.12.2 – Effective Date for Section 58 Risk Management Plan Policies. For the purpose of Section 58(3) of the Clean Water Act, 2006, the date the policies regarding regulated activities comes into full force and effect is three five years from the date the Source Protection Plan comes into full force and effect.
Notice of Section 51 (s. 51) Amendements – Ontario Regulation 287 (O. Reg. 287) – section 51 – s. 51 – Typographical errors, etc.
In addition to these proposed amendments, other minor grammatical and wording changes (as defined under Section 51 of the Clean Water Act, 2006) will be completed.
Please provide any written comments by February 08, 2018.
Revised Maps
Here are maps reflecting proposed amendments:
Maps – Maitland Valley Source Protection Area – Amended Assessment Report
Maitland Valley Source Protection Area Maps:
- 4.9 Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh – Wellhead Protection Areas and Intake Protection Zones
- 4.10 Benmiller System – Groundwater Vulnerability
- 4.11 Benmiller System – Total Impervious Surface within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.12 Benmiller System – Managed Lands within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.13 Benmiller System – Livestock Density
- 4.14 Benmiller System – Locations where chemical threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.15 Benmiller System – Locations where pathogen threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.16 Benmiller System – Locations where DNAPL threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.24 Dungannon System – Groundwater Vulnerability
- 4.25 Dungannon System – Total Impervious Surface within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.26 Dungannon System – Managed Lands within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.27 Dungannon System – Livestock Density
- 4.28 Dungannon System – Locations where chemical threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.29 Dungannon System – Locations where pathogen threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.30 Dungannon System – Locations where DNAPL threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.105 Molesworth System – Groundwater Vulnerability
- 4.106 Molesworth System – Total Impervious Surface within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.107 Molesworth System – Managed Lands within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.108 Molesworth System – Livestock Density
- 4.109 Molesworth System – Locations where chemical threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.110 Molesworth System – Locations where pathogen threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.111 Molesworth System – Locations where DNAPL threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.124 Huron-Kinloss – Wellhead Protection Areas and Intake Protection Zones
- 4.124R1 Ripley – Groundwater Vulnerability
- 4.124R2 Ripley – Total Impervious Surface within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.124R3 Ripley – Managed Lands within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.124R4 Ripley – Livestock Density
- 4.124R5 Ripley – Locations where chemical threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.124R6 Ripley – Locations where pathogen threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.124R7 Ripley – Locations where DNAPL threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.173 Blyth System – Groundwater Vulnerability
- 4.175 Blyth System – Managed Lands within Vulnerable Areas
- 4.177 Blyth System – Locations where chemical threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.178 Blyth System – Locations where pathogen threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- 4.179 Blyth System – Locations where DNAPL threats can be significant,moderate, or low
- 4.192 North Huron – Wellhead Protection Areas and Intake Protection Zones
Maps – Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Area – Amended Assessment Report
Ausable Bayfield Source Protection Area Maps:
- Map 2.12 Ausable Bayfield Drinking Water System Locations and Areas Served By Systems
- Map 4.23 Varna System – Groundwater Vulnerability
- Map 4.24 Varna System Impervious Surface
- Map 4.25 Varna System – Managed Lands
- Map 4.26 Varna System – Livestock Density
- Map 4.27 Varna System – Locations where chemical threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- Map 4.28 Varna System – Locations where pathogen threats can be significant, moderate, or low
- Map 4.29 – Varna System – Locations where DNAPL threats can be significant, moderate, or low
Source Protection Plan Amendments – Maitland Valley – Documents
Source Protection Plan Amendments – Maitland Valley – Documents:
Source Protection Plan Amendments – Ausable Bayfield – Documents
Source Protection Plan Amendments – Ausable Bayfield – Documents:
Proposed Amended Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Source Protection Plans:
The proposed amendments include revisions to two policies, P.12.1 and P.12.2, as well as changes to six wellhead protection areas (WHPAs).
A summary of the amendments has been added to the Preface of the source protection plans.
The Plans can be downloaded here:
- Ausable Bayfield Proposed Amended Source Protection Plan (Draft for consultation)
- Maitland Valley Proposed Amended Source Protection Plan (Draft for consultation)
Ausable Bayfield Assessment Report, Chapter 4:
A description of the Varna drinking water system has been added to Chapter 4 of the Proposed Amended Ausable Bayfield Assessment Report.
Click this link to download:
Maitland Valley Assessment Reports, Chapter 4
Chapter 4 of the Proposed Amended Maitland Valley Assessment Report has been revised to reflect changes to the following well systems: Benmiller, Blyth, Dungannon, Molesworth, and Ripley.
Click this link to download:
About Drinking Water Source Protection
Locally developed, provincially approved drinking water source protection plans – through the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006 – provide additional protection to municipal drinking water systems through the first barrier of defence, protection of drinking water at the source. This is one of several barriers (such as testing, treatment, training, distribution, and source protection) that keep your municipal drinking water safe and clean.
Assessment reports identify threats to municipal drinking water sources and locally-developed, provincially-approved source protection plans set out policies to help minimize the risks associated with those threats. The source protection plan policies protect sources of water – including groundwater and surface water such as Lake Huron – from contamination and overuse.
About Significant Drinking Water Threats
Assessment reports identify up to 21 land use activities or conditions which may, in certain locations (such as municipal wellhead protection areas) and in certain circumstances (such as relatively large quantities) pose a significant threat to municipal drinking water sources. There are 21 activities which can pose a significant threat to drinking water sources in municipal wellhead protection areas. Examples of activities that could be significant drinking water threats include:
- The establishment, operation or maintenance of a waste disposal site.
- Septic systems, or sanitary sewer and related pipes.
- Handling, storage and application of agricultural source material (manure).
- Handling and storage of: fuel; dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs); or organic solvents.
List of Prescribed Drinking Water Threats
For the full list of the 21 prescribed activities and conditions please consult the list included in this Notice or visit this link at Ontario.ca:
These 21 activities could pose a significant threat to drinking water sources – in the most vulnerable areas around municipal wells in certain circumstances (such as certain quantities). They are prescribed as drinking water threats for the purpose of the definition of a drinking water threat in subsection 2 (1) of the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006:
Threat Activities
1. The establishment, operation or maintenance of a waste disposal site within the meaning of Part V of the Environmental Protection Act.
2. The establishment, operation or maintenance of a system that collects, stores, transmits, treats or disposes of sewage.
3. The application of agricultural source material to land.
4. The storage of agricultural source material.
5. The management of agricultural source material.
6. The application of non-agricultural source material to land.
7. The handling and storage of non-agricultural source material.
8. The application of commercial fertilizer to land.
9. The handling and storage of commercial fertilizer.
10. The application of pesticide to land.
11. The handling and storage of pesticide.
12. The application of road salt.
13. The handling and storage of road salt.
14. The storage of snow.
15. The handling and storage of fuel.
16. The handling and storage of a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL).
17. The handling and storage of an organic solvent.
18. The management of runoff that contains chemicals used in the de-icing of aircraft.
19. An activity that takes water from an aquifer or a surface water body without returning the water taken to the same aquifer or surface water body.
20. An activity that reduces the recharge of an aquifer.
21. Use of land as livestock grazing or pasturing land, an outdoor confinement area or a farm-animal yard.
Examples of Drinking Water Threat Activities (Not a complete list)
1. Storage of PCBs, waste oil and other hazardous waste; landfilling of hazardous, non-hazardous, municipal or commercial waste; land application of untreated septage.
2. Septic systems, stormwater treatment ponds, discharge of industrial effluent, sewage treatment plants and sanitary sewer systems.
3, 4, and 5. Manure produced by farm animals, and runoff from farm yards and manure storages, or wash water such as milking centre waste, or compost (such as mushroom compost).
6 and 7. Land application of sewage bio-solids or other similar wastes such as pulp and paper bio-solids or waste materials from food processing.
8 and 9. Nitrogen and phosphorus applied or stored for farm or commercial use (such as landscaping or golf courses).
10 and 11. Specific categories of pesticides including: herbicides, fungicides, or those used as a soil fumigant to control fungi, nematodes, and weeds, for farm and commercial use.
12 and 13. Road salt, pickled sand in large quantities.
14. Snow storage over one (1) hectare. Municipal or commercial snow dumps.
15. Gas stations and card locks or key locks, marinas, private storage such as farms and contractor yards, and heating oil tanks for homes and businesses.
16 and 17. DNAPLs and/or organic solvents may be found in dry-cleaning chemicals, paint and spot removers, rug cleaning fluids, varnishes, paints, lacquers, adhesives, glues, and de-greasing or cleaning agents, and substances used in the production of dyes, polymers, plastics, textiles, and printing inks.
18. Large airports using ethylene glycol to de-ice aircrafts.
19. Water taken from groundwater and then discharged into a lake or river. Canning factories; bottling plants.
20. Increasing impervious cover of the ground, often through construction of paved areas, for example, parking lots.
21. Fields where livestock graze, feed lots and confinement areas outside barns.
If you have any questions, you are invited to call us at 519-235-2610 or toll-free at 1-888-286-2610; visit your local source protection website at www.sourcewaterinfo.on.ca; or send an email to info@sourcewaterinfo.on.ca
