Ontario is proposing to make…

Ontario is proposing to make residential foundation drainage systems exempt from requiring a permit-to-take-water for water, taking up to 379,000 litres of water per day. Currently, it is 50,000 litres per day, removing a permit requirement of up to 379,000 litres per day. Proposed changes include restricting the role of Conservation Authorities and removing notifications to local conservation authorities of the water taking. The onus could be on the Municipality to notify CA accessing the impacts, track Water Budgets and protect for water and natural heritage. It would be more challenging for the Municipality to manage in identifying vulnerable areas, accessing Source water impacts, like wellhead protection, vulnerable aquifers, and significant groundwater recharge areas, making assessments of projects and denying projects. CA would be limited in providing conditions where there are source water impacts and accumulative impacts zone of influence of wells. This will remove an effective tool for the ministry and Conservation Authorities to review applications and the accumulative impacts of water taking in an area that may have implications for the watershed sustainability.

Potential Impacts of Increased Dewatering Without a Permit to Take Water from MECP:

1. Increased dewatering flows may increase erosion in open channels, resulting in increased maintenance costs and property damage.
2. Increased dewatering may result in the surcharge of sewers and potential flooding in basements.
3. Increased dewatering may impact water well levels and impact the domestic water supply for the well system.
4. Increased flow may result in the settlement of soils or soil subsidence to nearby buildings and structures, including municipal infrastructure like roads, storm pipes, watermains and sanitary systems, resulting in increased maintenance cost repairs, compliance issues like spills and service disruptions.
5. May impact water quality in the downstream watercourses against Provincial, Regional and CA’s Water Quality Objectives i.e. York Region Sewer and Storm By-laws and Lake Simcoe Protection Act.
6. Development review of complex Site Plans, Plans of Subdivisions and Plans of Condominiums will require third-party reviewers and/or retain the services of the CA to maintain the level of service we currently have, resulting in additional Budget asks if not cost recoverable or if the scope is removed from the CA's Memo of Understanding.