Ontario invests in protecting water sources

The government of Ontario has introduced legislation that would require municipalities and conservation authorities to prevent lakes, rivers and groundwater from being depleted or contaminated.
The Clean Water Act received its first reading in the legislature on December 5. Its goal is “to keep pollution from seeping into our streams, lakes and rivers.”
Under the proposals, municipalities and conservation authorities will be required to map water sources, especially vulnerable areas that need protection. The different authorities will also have to work together across watersheds to develop and execute protective plans and conduct monitoring.
The government recently pledged $67.5 million over five years to implement the water source protection measures, including $51 million for technical studies. Presumably consulting engineering firms will receive commissions from this funding to perform the work.