- The Importance of Protecting Groundwater Supplies
- Sources of Groundwater Contamination
- What is a Wellhead Protection Area?
- How Can You Protect Your Drinking Water?
- For More Information...
Private Well Abandonment Program
Introduction
The Region of Peel is committed to protecting its residents' water quality. In the 1990s, Peel became one of the first municipalities in Ontario to establish a Wellhead Protection Area Program.
The Wellhead Protection Area Program aims to identify and protect areas that replenish municipal wells. This helps guard against sources of contamination and maintain a high-quality water supply. Using the Wellhead Protection Area Program, the Region manages the quality of water migrating towards the wells. The Town of Caledon, through its Official Plan and Comprehensive Zoning By-law, regulates land uses within the Wellhead Protection Areas.
The Importance of Protecting Groundwater Supplies
Many residents in the Town of Caledon communities use municipal groundwater supply wells to meet their domestic needs. However, any contamination can render groundwater supplies unusable for decades. With its proactive approach, the Region of Peel can help protect these wellfields to ensure safe and potable water.
Sources of Groundwater Contamination
When groundwater becomes contaminated, there may be a number of sources, including:
- Septic systems
- Leaky tanks or pipelines
- Chemical leaks or spills
- Landfills
- Graveyards
- Salt or other chemicals that run off from roads and highways
- Fertilizers and pesticides used on farmlands
- Rain and snow
- Unused wells
What is a Wellhead Protection Area?
A Wellhead Protection Area is the surface and subsurface area surrounding the water well or wellfield of a public water system. Contaminants may move toward the well or wellfield from this surrounding area.
The Region of Peel's Wellhead Protection Area program includes 17 active municipal wells in 7 communities in the Town of Caledon. The Wellhead Protection Areas include:
- Alton Municipal Wellfield
- Caledon Municipal Wellfield
- Caledon East Municipal Wellfield
- Granite Stones Municipal Wellfield
- Inglewood Municipal Wellfield
- Palgrave Municipal Wellfield
Residents, businesses and industries in these communities are responsible for ensuring that their actions and activities don't pose a risk to groundwater contamination.
How Can You Protect Your Drinking Water?
Help keep your drinking water supply safe by taking a few precautions:
- Store, use and dispose of chemicals properly, both at home and at work.
- Use fertilizers and pesticides carefully. Consider using more natural methods of gardening.
- Take all household hazardous wastes, such as motor oil, cleaners and solvents, to one of the Region of Peel's Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling facilities.
- Contact the Region of Peel Wasteline at 905-791-9499 for more information on the Region's hazardous waste program. (Residents in long distance areas in Caledon can call 905-584-2216 free of charge and ask for the WASTELINE.) Report anyone who is illegally dumping oil or other hazardous materials.
For More Information...
Region of Peel
10 Peel Centre Dr.
Brampton ON L6T 4B9
Tel: 905-791-7800
The following government agencies can also provide information on groundwater issues:
Ministry of the Environment
Public Information Centre
135 St. Clair Ave. W.
Toronto, ON, M4V 1P5
Tel: 416-323-4321 or 1-800-565-4923 (outside of Toronto)
Website: www.ene.gov.on.ca
Environment Canada
Inquiry Centre
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Hull, Quebec, K1A 0H3
Tel: (819) 997-2800 or 1-800-668-6767
Website: www.ec.gc.ca