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For residents, there are three main activities that may be a source of contaminants to source water include septic systems, home heating oil and improper handling and disposal of chemicals or hazardous waste. Residents can also support water conservation efforts to protect the Quantity of water. Each Source Protection Plan regulates these activities through various mechanisms including prohibitions, septic inspections, risk management plans and education programs.

Protecting Water Quality

Septic Tanks

For information about Wellington Source Water Protection's Mandatory Septic Re-inspection program, visit our septic page. There are many resources on this page that discuss septic system maintenance as well for homeowners who are not part of the Mandatory Septic Inspection program.

Fuel Oil

Oil spills and leaks, can be a hazard to your health as well as the environment. To prevent spills or leaks, homeowners are legally required, through the Technical Standards and Safety Act (TSSA), to properly maintain their oil tanks and report leaks or spills. Properties located within vulnerable areas will be contacted by the RMO/RMI to go over best management practices with homeowners with fuel oil tanks. (Insert Photo: Fuel Oil Tank)

Fuel Oil Tank

For more information about fuel oil and source water protection please read our fact sheet.

Hazardous Chemicals
There are two classes of chemicals that are regulated under the Clean Water Act which pose a significant threat to drinking water: Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) and Organic Solvents.

DNAPLs- Liquids that are denser than water and therefore sink into the ground and possibly contaminating water sources.

Organic Solvents- Liquids that are made from oil-based products. They are often used to dissolve other substances (i.e paint thinners).

Both of these types of chemicals can be found in products around your home such as:

Paints, stains and coatings
Paint removers, paint strippers
Wood treatment products
Nail polish removers
Spot removers and rug-cleaning fluids
Adhesives
Batteries
Printing Inks
Cleaning and degreasing products
Pesticides

Avoid or minimize the use of hazardous liquids by using alternative products. If products are labelled as flammable, corrosive or hazardous they could harm your health and pose a threat to drinking water. There are many product lines that are safer for your health and the environment. Use these best practices when looking to replace your household products:

Read the label. Look for words that indicate the product may contain harmful substances (danger, caution, poison). Choose products without warnings that the product could be harmful.
Choose water-based, heavy duty detergent cleaners for the removal of dirt and grease on mechanical equipment and parts.
Choose solvents that are not made from petroleum.
Use plain vinegar, baking soda and/or borax to clean around your home.

If alternative products cannot be found, only buy the amount you need. Do not dispose of hazardous liquids in to your garbage or down the drain. The safe storage and disposal of these chemicals is critical in keeping them out of our drinking water. For information on hazardous waste disposal in Wellington County, visit the County's Household Hazardous Waste webpage.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer provides our lawns and gardens with nutrients for plant growth, but when it is used in excess or applied incorrectly it can harm the quality of our drinking water sources. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the two key components of fertilizer that can lead to pollution of local water sources. Excess levels of nitrates in drinking water can have damaging effects on human health. Learn more by reviewing our fertilizer fact sheet.

Preserving Water Quantity

Source water protection is not just about quality of water, it seeks to protect the quantity of drinking water to ensure that everyone has drinking water for years to come. Homeowners living in quantity well head protection areas are encouraged to adopt practices that decrease the amount of water that is used per house hold and increase the amount of water that is being recharged back into the aquifer.

Here are some helpful tips for homeowners:

Increasing Recharge on your property

Redirect roof downspouts to drain into vegetated areas. Avoid directly draining into storm sewers, onto parking lots or sidewalks.
Mulch gardens to hold in water and reduce evaporation
Build a rain garden to decrease run off and increase infiltration! Follow these guides for more information on how to build your own: Credit Valley Conservation Rain Garden Guide, Essex Region Conservation Authority Rain Garden Manual

Water Conservation in and around your home

Water conservation is a proactive step homeowners can take around their property to reduce water consumption both indoors and outdoors.

The top three largest water uses in an average home are:

Toilet (45%) - replace your toilets with low-flow models
Showers (30%) - encourage people in your home to take shorter showers
Laundry (20%) - wait until you can do full loads of laundry instead of several small loads throughout the week

Seasonal Outdoor Water Usage

In summer months, 50% of household water is used in the lawn and garden. To reduce unnecessary water use, try these tips when saving water outdoors:

Only water your lawn when it needs it - if it springs back when you step on it, it does not require further watering
Cut grass less frequently and at a higher level (5-8 cm) to reduce evaporation
Water gardens in the morning or in the evening near the roots to reduce evaporation
Use a pool cover on your swimming pool when not in use
Install rain barrels on downspouts to water flower and vegetable gardens or wash your car
Plant native grasses and plants in gardens as they are more drought resistant and require less water
Set sprinklers strategically to water your lawn and not driveways or sidewalks
Install a shut-off valve on your hose so it only runs when in use
Use a broom, instead of a hose, to clean off your driveway

Did You Know? If you have an in ground irrigation system you should out fit it with a backflow prevention device?

Low water conditions: Visit your local municipal webpage to find out more about water restriction by-laws during the summer months in your municipality

Learn more about the Provinces low water response program

For water conservation tips specific to your local municipality, please visit your respective municipal site below:

For More Information:

Your home and source water protection
Home Heating Oil Fact Sheet
County of Wellington Household Hazardous Waste
Salt and Snow Tips to Protect Source Water
Handling and storage of Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids DNAPLs - learn more
Understanding Groundwater and Private Water Supplies in Rural Areas
Sodium in Drinking Water