Water News
In May 2000 e-coli was found to have contaminated the water supply of Walkerton, Ontario. Seven people died, and thousands were made ill. (Wikipedia)
The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), a crown agency of the Government of Ontario, was put in charge of the cleanup of Walkerton’s water system.
The Government of Ontario committed to ensuring Ontario’s drinking water is among the best protected in the world through:
- strong legislation
- stringent standards
- regular and reliable testing
- highly trained, certified operators
- licensing of drinking water systems
- regular inspections of drinking water systems and labs that test drinking water
- public reporting
- comprehensive source protection program
The province commits to act to safeguard our water. (source)
Clean Water Act – protecting the surface or groundwater that supplies municipal drinking water systems through watershed-based source protection plans.
Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program – provided funding to assist with individual local actions to:
- implementing runoff and erosion control measures
- inspecting and upgrading septic systems
- closing or upgrading wells
- assist small municipalities with start-up costs of plan implementation.
Almost 60% of Ontarians get their drinking water from the Great Lakes.
“Water is more than a precious resource. Water is life itself. Unfortunately, too many Canadians think it's limitless. We say it's priceless, but we act like it's dirt cheap. We waste it and pollute it. We do not have unlimited quantities, even if it does seem that way to some people because it keeps falling from the sky. We are one of the highest per capita consumers worldwide - 326 litres per person, per day."
Christine Stewart, former Federal Minister of the Environment Canada
“There is no reason Canadians shouldn’t have the safest drinking water the world, but regulatory efforts required to create, implement and maintain strong, world-class standards are sorely lacking.” Randy Christensen, Ecojustice staff lawyer and report co-author (Waterproof: Standards)
Conservation Authorities
Ontario's 36 Conservation Authorities (CAs) were established in 1946 after decades of tree clearing created extensive flooding problems. In 1954, the CAs gained popular support after Hurricane Hazel showed the necessity for flood management on a watershed basis. Today each municipality funds and has representation at the local CA.
More about Ontario's history of reforestation and flood control by Dr. John Bacher
Blue Communities
The Blue Communities Project, launched by the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, designates municipalities as Blue Communities when municipal governments pass resolutions to ban bottled water from municipal facilities, recognize water as a human right and promote public not-for-profit water and sanitation services. In 2013 Bern, Switzerland (where Nestle is headquartered) became the first Blue Community outside of Canada. (article)
Spring Water
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Date |
Source |
Title |
Comment |
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2019-01-22 |
Gazette.com (USA) |
Teller County residents rally to keep free artesian well open |
Debbie Kelly |
Specific Places
Specific Issues
- British Columbia’s Proposed Hydro Dam Site C
- North Dakota Access Pipeline, USA (DAPL)
- Foxconn proposal, Wisconsin, USA
General Issues
- Droughts
- Five Ocean Gyres (www.5gyres.org) studying plastic pollution in the oceans. The oceans are downstream from everywhere.
- Plastic
WATER NEWS - General
For more information AO Water News - History
“Protect our water today – for tomorrow.” AWARE-Ontario
"Filter your own water, not just to save a buck but to save the future of the earth". Abby Martin (video)
Other Sources of Information:
Ontario Headwaters - Water and Watersheds (4 mins)
Ontario Headwaters – Watershed Characteristics (3 mins)
Ontario Headwaters – Headwaters of the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) (3 mins)
University of Toronto – Munk School of Global Affairs: The Program on Water Issues (powi.ca)
5GYRES (studying plastic pollution in the oceans) (www.5gyres.org)
Ecosphere Technologies Inc. (www.ecospheretech.com)
Great Lakes Commons Map (www.greatlakescommonsmap.org)
Return to AWARE-Ontario.ca Home Page
List of Ontario’s Issues
Disclaimer: This information has been compiled through private amateur research for the purpose of allowing the reader to make an informed and educated decision. However, while the information is believed to be reliable, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
APPENDICES
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