Drinking Water Source Protection
Water, it’s the one resource every living thing on our planet depends on to live. 
In today’s society water is critical for transportation, recreation, industry, agriculture, energy, domestic and personal use. Most importantly we depend on it as a source for safe clean drinking water. Want to learn more about watershed? Find out about key concepts like how water travels, water quality and quantity and how water systems are linked in Watershed Connections.
Drinking Water Source Protection, is the first step in a multi-barrier approach to protecting our sources of drinking water before they become contaminated. Conventional water treatment removes many potential contaminants that could result in illness and even death; however preventing contamination is a much more effective way of ensuring clean drinking water and avoiding serious health issues. The majority of people likely to be affected most seriously by water related click here to view illnesses are very young children and the elderly.
The provincial government has made a commitment to the citizens of Ontario by passing the Clean Water Act, 2006 and Phase I Regulations which guide the process of developing strategies through Source Protection Planning to safeguard our water. Locally, the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority will work together with partners, stakeholders and residents to establish a Source Protection Committee to formulate a Source Protection Plan specific to our area. Each of us is the source, the source for change, the source for a solution, the source for protecting our water, now and in the future.
The Walkerton Inquiry
On a tragic day in May 2000, the death of seven people and illness of 2300 others in Walkerton set in motion events which would change the way we viewed the right to safe, clean drinking water.
Led by Justice Dennis O’Connor, a provincial inquiry into the water supply systems in Ontario was launched. The inquiry resulted in two reports along with 121 recommendations. At the forefront of these findings was the recommendation from Justice O’Connor that a multi-barrier approach to preventing contamination of drinking water should be implemented. This is the first barrier in the multi-barrier approach which also includes: water treatment systems, distribution, testing and drinking
water.
For more information on the Walkerton Inquiry visit:
Ministry of the Environment Drinking Water Ontario
For information on where your drinking water comes from and what is being done to protect our sources locally, download or view:
"Do You Know Where Your Drinking Water Comes From"
The Sault Ste. Marie Region Source Protection Area includes the following participating municipalities:
Sault North Planning Board
For more information on municipal drinking water treatment in the Sault Ste. Marie Area, visit:
