Thames-Sydenham Source Protection Region

20 years of protecting Ontario’s drinking water. 💧

Since the Clean Water Act was introduced 20 years ago, protecting drinking water has meant taking action to prevent contaminants from reaching our water sources.

Properly disposing of hazardous waste is one small but important way we can all help protect our water.

Learn where your hazardous waste drop off is here: https://www.recyclecoach.com/

20 years of protecting drinking water at the source 💧

The Clean Water Act established a framework for protecting the sources of drinking water before contamination becomes a problem.

Source water protection helps identify vulnerable areas and potential threats and puts measures in place to help keep our water safe!

Learn more: https://www.protectingourwater.ca/

Save the Date! Follow Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association to learn more about proper operation, maintenance and safety of onsite wastewater systems!

Need some good road trip music? Add the Drinking Water Protection song to your Canada Day playlist! Drinking Water Protection Zone signs mark areas where municipal drinking water wells require extra protection.

Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BcsHA5

Heading to the cottage? Protect your drinking water by maintaining your septic system, heating oil fuel tanks, and private wells. Explore best practices for drinking water protection: https://bit.ly/4eUv3KR

DYK that spring is a great time to test your well water? Unused private wells could cause water pollution if not checked or properly maintained. Your local health unit can test your well water for free. For more tips: https://bit.ly/4u66peh

DYK that lawn fertilizers often go with the flow and can contaminate drinking water sources? Try natural alternatives like mulched leaves and aeration to keep your lawn green and healthy.

For more tips: https://bit.ly/4asoTwp

DYK that a Drinking Water Protection Zone is an area around municipal drinking water sources where extra protective measures reduce contamination risks, keeping our drinking water safe? For more tips and guidance, click here:

https://bit.ly/3BcsHA5

🏡 Spring cleaning for rural homes looks a little different…

If you have a private well or septic system:

✔️ Inspect for leaks or damage

✔️ Pump out septic tanks as needed

✔️ Keep chemicals out of drains

✔️ Test your Drinking Water

What goes into your system can come back into your water. Test your drinking water today by going to: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Laboratory-Services/Well-Water-Testing

Protect your well. Protect your health 💧

Well Water Testing (Private Drinking Water) | Public Health Ontario What you need to know about the analyses performed on samples collected from private drinking water systems.