Approved amendments to the Grand River Assessment Report and associated Grand River Source Protection Plan for the Grand River Source Protection Area.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) helps communities safeguard their drinking water sources from contamination and depletion. It does this by encouraging the creation of collaborative, science-based, watershed protection plans that are locally driven and focused on prevention.

The changes proposed by the Grand River Source Protection Authority are to update several wellhead protection areas (WHPAs) for the Region of Waterloo’s water supply to maintain source protection plan accuracy. The changes include redefining capture zones, updating vulnerability scores, revising vulnerable area maps, and reassessing threats, conditions, and issues for Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPAs) at Erb Street, Strange Street, William Street, and Blair Road. Additionally, the decommissioned Conestogo wellfield will be removed. New non-binding policies are proposed to address future threats related to liquid hydrocarbon pipelines for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

The Grand River Source Protection Authority held consultations while the amendments were being developed. Public consultation was held from June 20, 2024, to August 6, 2024. Pursuant to the Clean Water Act, 2006, comments were invited from:

• implementing bodies (including provincial government ministries and local municipalities)
• the public and affected landowners
• Bands with reserves in the affected area

Comments submitted to the SPA were generally technical administrative questions from the MECP to support the identification of drinking water issues and provide technical rationales where appropriate. The authority considered and addressed comments received and made appropriate revisions and responses before submitting the proposed amendments to the Ministry for approval. Accordingly, the authority strengthened its technical approach and rationales, as expressed in the Assessment Report.

The Minister has concluded that the comments the source protection authority received during consultation on the Grand River Assessment Report and Grand River Source Protection Plan amendments have been adequately considered and addressed, and that the legislative and regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act, 2006 relating to the amendments have been met.

These amendments take effect upon this posting of the Minister’s approval on the Environmental Registry. The approved amendments to the Grand River Source Protection Plan and Grand River Assessment Report are available on the Lake Erie Source Protection Region’s website.