Source Protection Plan
The Cataraqui Source Protection Plan (the Plan) is a locally developed plan of action to keep sources of drinking water clean and plentiful. The original Plan was approved by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change on November 26, 2014, and it has been in effect since April 1, 2015. Implementation of the Plan is being carried out cooperatively amongst implementing bodies including municipalities, local health units, provincial ministries, Cataraqui Conservation, businesses, and others.
The Explanatory Document provides the public and stakeholders with information that influenced the policy decisions made by the Source Protection Committee during the development of the Cataraqui Source Protection Plan.
The Assessment Report identified the areas where drinking water sources in the Cataraqui Source Protection Area are vulnerable to contamination and overuse (including sensitive groundwater areas, wellhead protection areas and intake protection zones), and prioritized drinking water issues and threats within those vulnerable areas. The report pulled together the findings of over 15 technical studies and local sources of drinking water and the risks that affect them, all of which are appended to the Assessment Report.
The original Assessment Report was finalized in June 2011, an was approved by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in October 2011. It was used to support the development of the Cataraqui Source Protection Plan.
- Assessment Report
Watershed Characterization Study
The first step in the development of a source protection plan was the preparation of a Watershed Characterization Report. The Watershed Characterization Report for the Cataraqui Source Protection Area was completed in March 2008. The report presents information about the watershed, based on the best data available at the time of publication. The report compiles all of the information available for the Cataraqui Source Protection Area (CSPA) in subject areas ranging from: the physical, climatic and biological characteristics of the CSPA, the human population, surface water and groundwater quality and quantity, as well as issues and concerns about drinking water in vulnerable areas.
Watershed Characterization Report
- Executive Summary
- Complete Text
- List of Figures
- Appendices
- Maps - Chapter 1 (Watershed Description)
- Maps - Chapter 2 (Water Quality)
- Maps - Chapter 3 (Water Quality)
- Maps - Chapter 4 (Vulnerable Areas)
- Maps - Chapter 5 (Threats, Issues & Concerns)
Supporting Research
- Frontenac Islands Groundwater and Aquifer Characterization Study (2007)
- Groundwater Vulnerability Analysis Report for the Cataraqui Source Protection Area (2008)
- Drinking Water Source Protection Water Budget: Conceptual Report (2009)
- Cana Subdivision Wellhead Protection Area Study (2009)
- Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Intake Protection Zones (2009)
- Miller Manor Apartments Wellhead Protection Area Study (2009)
- Sydenham Intake Protection Zone Study (2009)
- Lansdowne Wellhead Protection Area Study (2011)
The Cataraqui Source Protection Area annual report outlines the progress made on implementing policies withing the Cataraqui Source Protection Plan, as required under the Clean Water Act and associated regulations.
The Cataraqui Source Protection Committee grades the efforts of municipalities and local stakeholder groups annual based on feedback on policy efforts and status of projects.