Source water protection is protecting our water resources such as lakes, rivers, and groundwater, from contamination or overuse. Water is critical to all aspects of our lives and protecting our water source is important to ensure that there is enough safe water for all our uses — now and in the future.

As water flows across the varied landscapes and communities, it is influenced by both natural and human activities within the particular area it travels. This area is called a watershed. The best way to protect source water is on a watershed basis. Conservation Authorities are the only watershed management agencies in Ontario that are organized by watersheds. Conservation authorities coordinate the development of the source water protection plans and provide technical expertise and advice.

Protecting the source of our drinking water is a key government initiative to protect public health. In 2004, the Walkerton Inquiry resulted in twenty-two recommendations for watershed-based source water protection.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority and Conservation Halton work in partnership to coordinate the source water protection plan for the combined watershed region that includes most of Halton, Hamilton, and parts of Peel and Wellington County.

Source water protection protects the health of its citizens and their communities because what happens up stream, affects those downstream!
 
For more information, LINK TO SOURCE WATER PROTECTION WEBSITE -- www.protectingwater.ca