Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program Review
The Clean Water Act (CWA) established the Ontario Drinking Water Source Protection Program (ODSWP) in response to the concerns raised by rural Ontario, largely farmers and small and medium businesses, to provide some means to financially assist those that may be affected by the CWA. Currently, the scope of the ODSWP is focused on providing financial assistance for voluntary projects and programs aimed at protecting the Province’s municipal drinking water sources in advance of source protection plans being completed.
As source protection planning progresses, the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program must change to accommodate the completion of the Assessment Reports that will identify who may be affected and what activities may be a threat.
The Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee is consulting locally with the public to determine what the program’s clients feel they need in the way of financial assistance. In addition, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment plans to hold targeted consultation sessions with affected key provincial level stakeholders, including the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Ontario Landowners’ Associations, other government ministries, rural businesses, municipalities and NGOs.
We want your views on how the program scope and delivery model should change through the third and fourth funding years (2009 to 2012).
Please download the ODWSP Consultation Form to provide your comments. All comments are welcome and appreciated.
For more information on the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program, please download the ODWSP Fact Sheet or visit the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's website at: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/cleanwater/index.php.
