MISSISSIPPI AND RIDEAU WATERSHEDS, April 15, 2019 — On March 11, 2019 the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) approved an amendment to the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan and the Rideau Valley Assessment Report. The approved amendment took effect on March 25, 2019.
This amendment reflects a new municipal well system, comprised of two wells, in the community of Richmond and will be owned and operated by the City of Ottawa. This new well system will serve approximately 5,800 people residing in the Western Development Lands.
The new well system also affects two existing Wellhead Protection Areas in the Source Protection Plan and Assessment Report, the King’s Park Wellhead Protection Area in Richmond and the Munster Wellhead Protection Area. An amendment to the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan (including the Rideau Valley Assessment Report) is required before the new well system is brought online.
“These amendments ensure municipal drinking water systems continue to be protected through the drinking water source protection program,” said Marika Livingston, Project Manager for the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region.
Drinking water sources in the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region include groundwater, drawn from aquifers underground, and water drawn from rivers. The Source Protection Plan sets out policies that use a variety of tools to protect municipal drinking water sources from contamination. These tools include education, risk management planning, prohibition and land use planning. Policies in the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan first came into effect on January 1, 2015. Visit the Region’s local website at www.mrsourcewater.ca to find out more.
The Notice of Approval of the amended Assessment Report and Source Protection Plan for the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region is also posted on Ontario’s Environmental Registry at www.ebr.gov.on.ca.
If you have questions about the approved changes, please contact Marika Livingston at 613-692-3571 ext. 1148 or .
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Mississippi Valley and Rideau Valley Source Protection Authorities
Marika Livingston
3889 Rideau Valley Drive, PO Box 599
Manotick ON K4M 1A5
613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1148