This is a 200 kb (medium-sized) PDF file of a one-page fact sheet for industry, commerce, work and business in vulnerable areas around wells and intakes of the Maitland Valley and Ausable Bayfield areas.
Download: Fact-Sheet-Industry-BMPs-DWSP
This fact sheet provides you with some ways you can help to protect local drinking water sources at your business or work in a vulnerable area in the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region.
Your business or place of work may be located in an area that has been identified as vulnerable. (Please consult maps on this website and contact staff to find out what policies apply to you.
When you are in a vulnerable area, this means that activities at your business have a greater chance of impacting your local municipal drinking water sources. It is important to implement best management practices (BMPs) for your industry and other measures to prevent the risk of pollution of drinking water in this vulnerable area.
Source protection plans for this region have been developed locally and approved by the Province of Ontario. The plans require management of some activities in wellhead protection areas (zones A, B, and C). Although you are not required to follow policies outside of those zones, we ask you to have regard for policies in the plans for other vulnerable areas and to follow recommended best management practices and reduce risk to drinking water sources.
How can you help to protect drinking water?
1. PREPARE A POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN
– Identify products that may be harmful and find alternatives if possible.
– Reduce your use of chemicals and reduce the amounts you store.
– Consider ways you can prevent spills. For example, upgrade storage containers and use secondary containment.
– Store all chemicals and pollutants away from drains, wells, and surface water.
– Inspect and maintain sediment pits, oil and water separators, and equipment.
2. CREATE A SPILLS RESPONSE PLAN
– Prepare a spills kit — Include drain covers, absorbents and other cleanup material.
– Spill cleanup — In the event of a spill, collect and store the spill, then arrange for disposal by a government-licensed contractor.
– Identify who you will call in case of a spill. Include the Ontario Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.
– Post the plan and emergency numbers in a visible area.
3. STAFF TRAINING
– Ensure your staff are aware of potential sources of contamination. Keep MSDS sheets available and current.
– Ensure staff are trained to carry out the spills response plan.
– Include staff when preparing a pollution prevention plan. They may have new and effective ideas.
– Consider practice drills to identify areas for improvement.
Thanks for taking a LEADERSHIP ROLE in your industry & protecting local health & water resources through POSITIVE ACTION
4. ALWAYS FOLLOW BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPS) FOR YOUR INDUSTRY
– Comply with federal, provincial and local legislation.
– Add other measures to add safety to local drinking water sources.
For more information visit Ontario.ca and sourcewaterinfo.on.ca or talk to the staff of your local drinking water source
protection region for more ways to protect drinking water sources. Phone: 519-235-2610 or toll-free: 1-888-286-2610
