Grand River Source Protection Plan updated

An amendment to the Plan that protects the sources of municipal drinking water in the Grand River watershed was approved by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on July 25, 2025.

The update, which came into effect on July 29, 2025, incorporates new technical information and revised policies for the Brant County and City of Brantford Drinking Water Systems. This includes the addition of a Sodium and Chloride Issue Contributing Area at the Bethel Road wellfield in Paris. Policies for both municipalities have also been updated to conform to the 2021 Technical Rules for identifying drinking water threats.

Background

The Plan and its associated documents are available online at www.sourcewater.ca. The Grand River Source Protection Plan was first approved in November 2015 and came into effect July 1, 2016.

The source protection planning process began in 2006 following the Walkerton Inquiry, when the Ontario government passed the Clean Water Act, 2006 to protect the sources of municipal drinking water throughout the province. The process is based on technical studies, collaborative policy development and extensive public consultation.

The process to update the Plan was guided by the Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee, which is made up of representatives from municipalities, business, industry, farmers, landowners and other stakeholders. The committee is also responsible for updating plans for the Kettle Creek, Catfish Creek, and Long Point Region watersheds.

Implementation of the Plan policies is primarily the responsibility of municipalities and provincial ministries. Source Protection Plans are local, science-based plans designed to protect the water quality and quantity of the lakes, rivers and groundwater that supply municipal drinking water systems. The plans set out actions to eliminate, manage or reduce potential risks to drinking water sources.

Policies in the Source Protection Plans include a variety of approaches to manage and prevent risks to municipal drinking water. These approaches include education and outreach, the development of risk management plans, land use planning, and monitoring. The policies are designed to ensure sufficient supplies and keep contaminants out of rivers, lakes and groundwater aquifers that are sources of municipal drinking water.

The source protection planning process is directed and funded by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks in conjunction with municipalities. Local conservation authorities provide technical, communications and administrative support for the source protection planning process.

Further information:

Serena Catania, GRCA Supervisor of Communications and Marketing
Phone 519-621-2763 x 2240 |  Email scatania@grandriver.ca

Kaitlyn Rosebrugh, Senior Source Protection Program Coordinator, Lake Erie Source Protection Region
Phone 519-621-2763 x 2318 |  Email krosebrugh@grandriver.ca