The Mississippi-Rideau Drinking Water Source Protection (MRDWSP) staff will be meeting with land and business owners this summer in the communities of Almonte, Kemptville, Merrickville, Montague, Smiths Falls and Westport who may be using chemicals that could pose a risk to the municipal drinking water systems.The Mississippi-Rideau Drinking Water Source Protection (MRDWSP) staff will be meeting with land and business owners this summer in the communities of Almonte, Kemptville, Merrickville, Montague, Smiths Falls and Westport who may be using chemicals that could pose a risk to the municipal drinking water systems.

This work is being done by MRDWSP staff on behalf of the local municipalities as they strive to meet the requirements of the Ontario’s Clean Water Act. The locally produced and supported Source Water Protection Plan sets out ways to ensure long-term protection of municipal drinking water supplies. Drinking Water Protection Zones are outlined in the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan and are areas where the drinking water source is more vulnerable and as a result has special protection. 

Certain activities that take place within these zones can pose a risk to the municipal drinking water supply. Chemicals known as dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) are heavier than water, meaning that they sink and do not dissolve in water. These chemicals are harmful to human health and are very difficult and expensive to clean up. DNAPLs may be present in dry cleaning chemicals, paints, paint strippers, degreasing and cleaning agents, lubricants and adhesives. If these chemicals are present, Mississippi-Rideau Staff will work with land and business owners to ensure that proper practices are established and recognized so that current activities do not pose a threat to the drinking water source. 

MRDWSP staff will also endeavour to meet with municipal councils prior to starting their work in each of the six communities to outline provincial requirements and the value of these outreach projects to the long-term protection of local drinking water resources.

The Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region is made up of the Mississippi Valley and Rideau Valley watersheds. The Source Protection Committee and staff are supported by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.

For more information about Mississippi-Rideau Source Water Protection and Drinking Water Protection Zones visit mrsourcewater.ca.