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Protect (14)

Tuesday, 28 June 2022 14:52

Best Practices

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PrivateSW DWSPrivate Drinking Water Systems in Upper-Middle Rideau Valley Wateshed

Friday, 28 April 2017 15:33

Drinking Water Protection Zone Signs

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provincial signs EN

Have you seen these signs?

Their goal is to raise awareness about Drinking Water Protection Zones that surround a community’s shared drinking water source. These zones now have some special protections under the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan – a locally developed plan under Ontario’s Clean Water Act. The signs can be found in similar zones across the Province!

The zones are in communities, in specific areas around their municipal water sources. Depending on the community, the source may be a well that draws water from an aquifer or an intake that takes water from a river.

The zones were determined through scientific and technical studies that were done to help understand the drinking water source and map the zones, and in these areas some special policies are in place to help protect the drinking water source.

The signs could help inform first responders too! The signs can reaffirm the importance of spill prevention and help to ensure appropriate spill response.

If you live in a Drinking Water Protection Zone, you are encouraged to make small changes that will help to protect rivers and underground aquifers. You might already be doing some things that help you to be a Great Water Resident! Check out some ideas on our Living in the Zone page!

To find out more information about what these signs mean, please view our Fact Sheet

Friday, 09 October 2015 14:23

Kid's Corner

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Kids Korner graphic

 

This section is just for kids! You can help protect drinking water sources too. Here are some links with information and activities to help you “go blue”!

Friday, 09 October 2015 14:00

Funding and Assistance Programs

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Here are some links to information about technical or financial assistance for actions related to protecting water:

Thursday, 08 October 2015 21:17

Water Conservation

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water conservation

It is easy to waste water and take it for granted. After all, here in the Mississippi-Rideau region, we have beautiful lakes and rivers all around us and a seemingly endless supply of groundwater beneath our feet. So why bother with water conservation?

Water conservation:

  • Protects drinking water sources from becoming depleted over time and helps combat the effects of growing populations, drought events and climate change
  • Protects water quality because lower water levels result in poorer water quality since there is less water to dilute contaminants
  • Reduces the cost of waste water treatment and water infrastructure expansion
  • Extends the life of private septic systems
  • Saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions related to water heating and pumping
  • Protects aquatic habitats

We all know the basics –install a rain barrel, take shorter showers, use a bucket to wash the car.

If you’re looking for some innovative, new ideas to challenge yourself to save water, check out: 100+ Ways to Conserve Water

Curious about your water use? Try this: Water Footprint Calculator

Thursday, 08 October 2015 21:09

Farm BMPs

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farmland

Farmers understand the importance of clean water and a healthy environment for their crop and livestock production. Best management practices (BMPs) are practical, affordable approaches to protecting a farm's soil and water resources without sacrificing productivity. BMPs such as fencing livestock out of rivers, maintaining a vegetated buffer adjacent to streams, managing runoff from manure storage facilities and adhering to all pesticide guidelines and training can help protect rivers and groundwater. Best management practices are equally important on small farms and for “backyard livestock” too!

 
Thursday, 08 October 2015 21:06

Smart Salt Practices

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Quick Fact:

Each year in Canada, we use an average of five million tonnes of road salts as de-icers and spend more than $1 billion on winter maintenance. Approximately 70 percent of the road salt spread on urban roads is retained in a watershed.

SmartSaltPracticesRoad salt helps keep roads, driveways and sidewalks safe but it can also result in contamination of drinking water sources. Sodium and chloride in de-icing materials is washed into waterways and ends up in groundwater too. Road salt use is increasing due to climate change, ever expanding paved areas as well as societal expectations for bare roads.

Fortunately, there have been great advancements in “smart salt practices” that have proven effective in achieving improved environmental protection without compromising safety. They involve such principles as using the right material at the right time in the right amount for maximum effectiveness. In Ontario, the majority of road salt used is handled by road authorities such as municipalities and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, but businesses and homeowners also use and store salt. Road authorities and private contractors responsible for winter road maintenance in our region are being urged to use “smart salt practices” and have Road Salt Management Plans. We can all help by following these Winter Tips to reduce our salt use on private property.

Thursday, 08 October 2015 21:04

Natural Shorelines

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shoresVegetated shorelines with lots of native trees and shrubs protect water quality by absorbing nutrients and contaminants, trapping sediment and encouraging infiltration of run-off into the ground. If you own shoreline property, you can learn about and get assistance with shoreline naturalization from your Conservation Authority.

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Shoreline Naturalization Program

Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority Shoreline Planting Program

Thursday, 08 October 2015 20:59

Green Yards

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GreenYardOutside in our yards, gardens and driveways, it is simple – to protect drinking water sources we need to use less water, create less runoff and ensure the runoff that we do create is as clean as possible.

You can easily achieve a green yard with this Greenscapes Guide.

To understand the evils of stormwater runoff, don’t miss Stormwater – Why Should We Care?

For car washing best practices, check out the RiverSafe Carwash campaign

Quick Fact:

Ontario now has a cosmetic pesticide ban to protect human health and the environment. Pesticides are no longer allowed on lawns, gardens, patios, driveways, cemeteries, parks and school yards.

Thursday, 08 October 2015 20:31

Safeguarding / Reducing Hazardous Substances

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Safeguarding

Some hazardous substances in our lives are not only unavoidable, they are downright useful! To protect our drinking water sources, we need to safely store, handle and dispose of these substances.

hazardous substances
Quick Fact:

One drop of oil can render up to 25 litres of water unfit for drinking!

  • Home heating oil storage – Keeping furnace oil tanks in good repair and having annual inspections by a qualified person are key to preventing fuel spills. For more details see What Should I Know About Home Heating Oil?
  • Proper disposal - Old paint, cleaners, pesticides, batteries, etc. should go to an approved household hazardous waste facility or drop off location (not down the drain or in the regular garbage). Contact your municipality for information about disposal options. Expired medications can be returned to a pharmacy for proper disposal.
  • Spill / leak prevention – Maintaining vehicles to prevent fluid leaks and promptly cleaning up spills of hazardous substances is important (kitty litter works). What spills on the ground can end up in our drinking water sources.

Reducing

Some hazardous substances can be avoided and easily replaced by alternatives that are just as effective. This reduces the amount of chemicals in our environment and eases the burden on wastewater treatment plants. To help you choose less toxic products or to make your own green alternatives, see this Guide to Less Toxic Products

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Made possible through the support of the Government of Ontario

Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority Office
3889 Rideau Valley Drive
P.O. Box 599
Manotick, ON K4M 1A5