Implementing the Plans

Policy toolbox 

The goal of a source protection plan is to manage or remove activities that are, or could become, significant threats to the quality and quantity of municipal drinking water sources. The Clean Water Act, 2006 gives tools to municipalities, conservation authorities, provincial ministries and other agencies, that can be used to address significant threats.

The policies and programs in a source protection plan are built on these tools. The plan tells you who is responsible for implementing each policy, and which tools they can use to address significant threats.

Who implements the plans? 

Most of the plan policies are implemented by the following three groups. 

Municipalities

Municipalities implement many of the policies in the plans. They use a number of tools in the policy toolbox including:  

• education and outreach,
• incentives,
• land use planning,
• Risk Management Plans, and
• prohibition.

Contact your municipality if you would like to learn more about their role implementing the plans.

Conservation authorities

Conservation authorities play an important role in the development and update of plans. They are responsible for overseeing assessment report technical work and drafting plan policies. They also provide additional support to the Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee, carry out public consultations and other activities.

Conservation authority staff work with municipal staff to share information and ideas on the best ways to implement the plans.

Some plan policies ask conservation authorities to help implement municipal policies. For example, conservation authorities may help create municipal educational programs.

Provincial ministries and agencies

Provincial ministries and agencies give permits or other approvals for different activities. The Clean Water Act, 2006 calls these "Prescribed Instruments". Some examples include:

• permits under the Pesticides Act,
• licences under the Aggregate Act,
• Nutrient Management Plans under the Nutrient Management Act, and
• Environmental Compliance Approvals for sewage systems under the Ontario Water Resources Act.

The ministries and agencies can include terms and conditions in licences and permits to manage existing significant threats or stop new ones from developing.