Minister’s message

Ontario’s drinking water is among the best protected in the world. This is the result of many people and organizations working together with dedication to protect this precious resource.

In this report, you will discover how the government continues to promote measures to maintain and improve the quality of our drinking water and water resources. This is evident in the comprehensive drinking water data showing that 99.9% of the over 519,000 drinking water tests from municipal residential drinking water systems met Ontario’s strict drinking water quality standards in 2021-2022. A notable result as we mark the 20th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, which has transformed Ontario’s approach to drinking water protection.

Across the province, water system owners and dedicated professionals — certified drinking water operators, water quality analysts, licensed engineering practitioners, accreditation experts, laboratory technicians, risk management officials, water inspectors, medical officers of health, educators and many more — are focused on helping to protect our drinking water. I am proud of the immense collaboration and clear lines of communication these professionals keep with one another and with staff at the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Status quo is not an option in a changing world. That’s why we closely track and prepare for existing or emerging threats, from aging infrastructure to cybersecurity. From source to tap to drain, this commitment to continuous improvement, grounded in science-based evidence, informs new and updated practices, standards and guidelines.

Ontario’s most recent investments in green infrastructure include 144 new water infrastructure projects that will have long-lasting benefits for small communities across the province. Through a combined $330 million investment by Canada and Ontario, these projects will improve access to reliable, clean drinking water by replacing tens of thousands of metres of watermains and water lines, replacing water intake structures, retrofitting high-lift pumping stations and constructing new water treatment plants.

Additionally, through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund the province is providing funding to repair core infrastructure to over 400 small, rural and Northern communities.

As we celebrate the achievements outlined in this report, we also acknowledge there is room for continued improvement. Ontario is committed to continuing our collaborative work to improve access to safe, sustainable drinking water in First Nation communities.

Ontarians want to know that when they turn a tap on, the water that flows, the water they give to their children, families and friends, is clean and safe. This level of trust is precious. Working together with our partners, the province will continue to hold our drinking water to the highest safety standards.

The Honourable David Piccini
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Ontario’s drinking water standards

One of the most important tools for helping to ensure the delivery of Ontario’s high-quality drinking water is regular monitoring and inspection of regulated drinking water systems. Ontario sets stringent limits for contaminants in drinking water. Most of these are based on Health Canada’s Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines and are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they reflect new information when it becomes available. The Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, sets out standards for a total of 151 microbiological, chemical and radiological parameters.

As part of Ontario’s commitment to continuous improvement, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (ministry) independently tracks science and technology to inform the development of new/updated standards and guidelines through its own programs in addition to its participation on the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water, which develops the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines.

Furthermore, the Advisory Council on Drinking Water Quality and Testing Standards (ODWAC), comprising drinking water experts from municipalities, universities and industry, provides non-binding recommendations to the Minister including whether and how to adopt the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines as Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards.

Pesticides

In January 2022, Health Canada posted a document recommending the withdrawal of the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines for 17 pesticide or pesticide-related substances. These substances are no longer registered for use in Canada and have not been detected in drinking water at levels of concern.

In March 2022, Health Canada posted less stringent Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines for two pesticides, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and Bromoxynil, based on more recent scientific studies. Health Canada also posted a revised guideline document that reaffirmed the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guideline for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).

The ministry is reviewing these latest actions by Health Canada in relation to pesticides. The ministry will also consider the advice provided by ODWAC regarding these pesticides to determine whether Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards require revisions.

New guidance documents

Health Canada, through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water (CDW) has introduced three new guidance documents for parameters that can impact drinking water:

Guidance documents aim to provide a practical overview on monitoring drinking water systems for parameters that can impact drinking water safety and emphasize a hands-on approach to the operation of a drinking water system. Aspects of the guidance documents are incorporated into the ministry’s training materials for Ontario’s drinking water system operators.

The ministry is reviewing these guidance documents and will also assess advice from ODWAC regarding the guidance documents prior to deciding what information from the documents will be incorporated into updated training materials.

Emerging issues

Cybersecurity at Drinking Water Systems

There is a growing danger of cybersecurity threats targeting municipal data systems, including those that support drinking water systems. These threats can result in loss of data and compromise the ability of municipal utilities to provide clean and safe drinking water.

Although there have been no cybersecurity incidents in Ontario that have impacted drinking water quality or significantly impacted drinking water operations, this government takes cybersecurity very seriously and has taken action to help reduce the risk of cybersecurity attacks.

The ministry is pleased to report that as of April 2022, all municipal residential drinking water systems in Ontario are required to evaluate and mitigate against cybersecurity threats .  This follows the 2021 Minister’s Annual Report on Drinking Water, which outlined steps that were being considered by the ministry to help municipalities protect their drinking water systems from public attacks.

All municipal residential drinking water systems in Ontario are managed by an operating authority accredited to the requirements of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS). Accreditation is issued by a third-party organization designated as an accreditation body in accordance with section 22 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002.

All municipal residential drinking water systems must conduct a risk assessment as part of satisfying DWQMS requirements. Cybersecurity/cyber-attacks are now included in the “List of Potential Hazardous Events” referenced in the ministry’s DWQMS and are among the matters that are required to be considered in municipalities’ risk assessments.

Additional initiatives being undertaken by Ontario to help reduce the risk of cybersecurity attacks include the establishment of a Cyber Security Centre of Excellence to provide guidance, tools and training for the public and private sectors.

Per–and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used for decades in fire-fighting foams and consumer products such as cookware, textiles, and food packaging materials. They are called forever chemicals as they break down very slowly in the environment and accumulate in the soil, sediments, and water. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are the most well-known PFAS.

In 2017, Ontario developed interim advice for PFAS, recommending that drinking water used for human consumption not exceed 70 ng/L for eleven different PFAS.

In June 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) published interim Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS of 0.004 ng/L and 0.02 ng/L, respectively, replacing their previous Health Advisories of 70 ng/L for the sum of PFOA and PFOS. Measurement of these PFAS at such low levels is not achievable using current routine analytical methods. These interim Health Advisories will remain in place until the USEPA establishes a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, expected in late 2022 or early 2023.

Ministry experts have reviewed the scientific basis of the USEPAs interim Health Advisories, which can, along with other science and technology considerations, inform the setting of standards and guidelines. The ministry is currently working with Health Canada and other provinces and territories on appropriate approaches for new Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines for PFAS as a group based on treatment technology. They are expected to be released in early 2023.

Key findings from the Chief Drinking Water Inspector 2021-22

Ontario’s Chief Drinking Water Inspector reports annually on the performance of Ontario’s regulated drinking water systems. Data associated with the 2021-22 Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s report is also available on Ontario’s Data Catalogue.

This year’s results show that Ontario’s drinking water continues to be among the best protected in the world.

Municipal and laboratory results

More than 80% of Ontario residents receive drinking water from a municipal residential drinking water system in the city or town where they live. These drinking water systems are inspected each year to make sure they are following Ontario drinking water regulations.

In addition, laboratories licensed by the province to perform drinking water testing are inspected twice per year and must report all test results to the ministry within 10 days.

All municipal drinking water systems were inspected at least once and laboratories that test drinking water were inspected at least twice during the year, as required. The 2021-22 test and inspection results for Ontario’s municipal residential drinking water systems and licensed laboratories show that:

  • 99.9%
    99.9% of the over 519,000 drinking water tests from municipal residential drinking water systems met Ontario’s drinking water quality standards
  • 78.2%
    78.2% of municipal residential drinking water systems scored 100% on their inspection rating. 100% of final inspection ratings were greater than 80%.
  • 100%
    100% of final inspection ratings for licensed laboratories were greater than 80% and 65.7% of all inspections resulted in perfect scores of 100%.

Compliance and enforcement activities

In 2021-22, 11 orders were issued to address violations at seven drinking water systems and four laboratories.

For more serious violations, such as failing to report an adverse test result or operating without a licence, owners and operators were charged with provincial offences. Owners and/or operators of eight systems that supplied drinking water to municipal and non-municipal residential systems were convicted and fined for a total of $81,300.

For further details about the orders and convictions, please refer to the 2021-22 Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Report or the 2021-2022 Drinking Water Quality and Enforcement Dataset on Ontario’s Data Catalogue.

Lead testing at schools and child care centres

Data from schools and child care centres shows that the majority of test results in 2021-22 met the provincial standard for lead (10 micrograms per litre) in drinking water.

  • 94%
    94% of more than 31,000 test results (flushed and unflushed samples) met the standard for lead during that period.
  • 96%
    96% of flushed samples (when water was flushed through the pipes before the sample was taken) met Ontario’s standard for lead

The fact that fewer flushed test results exceeded the standard than standing test results is consistent with previous years and demonstrates that flushing is an effective way to temporarily reduce lead levels below the standard for lead. More permanent solutions include replacing or removing problematic fixtures or installing filters on them and replacing filters in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.

Operator certification and training

Operators of drinking water systems must be trained and certified according to the type and class of the system they operate. Depending on the classification level of the drinking water system in question, operators must complete between 60 and 150 combined hours of continuing education and on-the-job training every three years to renew their certificates. Operators can hold multiple certificates, which allows them to work in more than one type of drinking water system.

As of April 1, 2022, Ontario had 7,756 certified drinking water operators, holding 11,433 certificates in total. Of these operators, 164 were employed as system operators in First Nations across the province, holding 238 drinking water operator certificates in total.

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre provides training for operators and owners of drinking water systems provincewide, with a focus on small and remote communities including First Nations. As of April 1, 2022, more than 102,000 participants had been provided with high-quality operator training programs on water treatment equipment, technology and regulatory requirements since the Walkerton Clean Water Centre opened its doors in 2004. Operator training programs also cover environmental issues such as water conservation and energy efficiency, with the aim of increasing the sustainability of drinking water operations. For more information on the training and services that the WCWC provides to First Nations, please refer to the Actions to support First Nation communities section of this report.

Actions to support the delivery of clean, safe drinking water in Ontario

MECP laboratory’s support during the COVID‑19 pandemic

Since May 2020, during the COVID‑19 pandemic, the ministry’s laboratory supported Public Health Ontario (PHO) and local health units to help ensure they had capacity to deliver critical clinical testing for COVID‑19.

PHOs labs analyze water samples submitted from private citizen wells or small drinking water systems. Samples are tested for the bacterial contaminants E. coli and total coliforms.

Due to the pandemic, in 2020 PHO reallocated resource capacity from water testing to test for COVID‑19. As a result, the ministry’s laboratory stepped in to analyze some private citizen drinking water samples from PHOs Hamilton lab for non‑COVID related bacterial contaminants.

MECPs laboratory supported water testing for the Hamilton PHO for over two years during the pandemic. As of the program close in September 2022, the ministry’s laboratory has analyzed more than 4,400 drinking water samples for PHO.

Accreditation audits for drinking water systems and drinking water testing services

Municipal residential drinking water systems and licensed laboratories are required to be accredited by third-party organizations designated as accreditation bodies for the purpose of accreditation under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. In 2022 all operating authorities for the drinking water systems were actively accredited to the requirements of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard and no accreditations were revoked or suspended. Likewise, all licensed laboratories were actively accredited to the requirements of the standard for testing and calibration laboratories and none of the licensed laboratories had their laboratory accreditation status suspended or revoked.

Investment in green infrastructure for smaller communities

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30 billion, 10-year infrastructure program, cost-shared between the federal, provincial and territorial governments, and other partners. The program was designed to support long-term economic growth, build inclusive, sustainable and resilient communities and support a low-carbon economy. Under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, in 2018 Ontario signed its Integrated Bilateral Agreement with the federal government for $11.8 billion over 10 years to cost-share projects under the following four streams: Public Transit; Green Infrastructure; Community, Culture & Recreation; Rural and Northern Communities. The COVID‑19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream was added later to support post-pandemic recovery.

The second intake of the Green Infrastructure Stream, which closed in September 2021, was eligible to 408 eligible municipalities with populations under 100,000, 127 First Nations and eight Local Services Boards with eligible drinking water infrastructure assets. Eligible projects included rehabilitation and repair projects to help address critical health and safety risks associated with drinking water infrastructure.

Through this intake, 144 water infrastructure projects across Ontario worth approximately $330 million in joint federal-provincial funding were nominated to the federal government. All were approved as of April 2022. To ensure a balance of funding was made available to all communities in Ontario, 10% of overall federal-provincial funding was allocated to First Nation projects. This investment will improve water infrastructure and ensure better access to reliable and clean drinking water in Ontario.

For example, in Kingsville this investment will improve the reliability and capacity of watermains and increase access to potable water by supporting 3,200 metres of watermain replacements, along with the installation of 234 water service lines and 24 new fire hydrants. In the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, the funding will support the replacement of over 4,400 metres of watermain along nine community roads.

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is designed and delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure, with support from the ministry, along with other ministry partners. Partner ministries reviewed all applications submitted by eligible municipalities, First Nations, and Local Services Boards for technical scoring, and to conduct due diligence checks such as financial risk assessments and to help ensure alignment with provincial regulations and policies.

This funding intake was informed by municipal and First Nations’ feedback that reiterated the need for additional funding related to the improvement of drinking water infrastructure. The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program funding will address some of this demand.

The first intake of the program’s Green stream, which closed in October 2020, focused on projects that addressed critical health and safety issues with drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. Under that intake, 76 projects worth more than $140 million in federal-provincial funding were nominated to the federal government, all of which were approved as of March 2021.

Through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, the province also provides formula-based funding to over 400 small, rural and northern communities to build and repair critical core infrastructure, including water and wastewater infrastructure. Starting in 2022, the province will provide nearly $2 billion in grants through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund over five years (an additional $200 million per year) to support these communities.

Actions to support First Nation communities

First Nation communities in Ontario have the highest number of long-term drinking water advisories in the country. As of October 17, 2022, there were 22 long-term drinking water advisories impacting 19 First Nation communities in Ontario. This must change, and although the federal government and First Nations share primary responsibility for providing safe drinking water on First Nations’ reserves, our government is committed to working in collaboration and sharing technical expertise to help resolve the issue of water quality on reserves.

Ontario is available to provide First Nation communities with access to expertise in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of drinking water systems, as well as to facilitate access to operator training and certification programs. When asked, we provide technical advice to support safe, sustainable water infrastructure in First Nation communities to help them develop the capacity to end long-term drinking water advisories.

The province has collaborated with Political-Territorial Organizations, Tribal Councils and their individual First Nation communities to assess their existing water infrastructure against Ontario standards and to offer technical support for the communities’ development of long-term water infrastructure plans.

Training for First Nation system owners and operators

Through the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC), Ontario has also been working with First Nations on the development of training programs to support operators, managers and community leaders in maintaining safe drinking water systems. Various courses for operators and managers of First Nations drinking water systems were delivered this year: three classroom sessions of Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators for First Nations; six virtual sessions and three classroom sessions of Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nation Communities; and 17 sessions of specialized training. As of November 2022, 188 individuals had successfully completed the Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators for First Nations, and 143 had successfully completed Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nation Communities. WCWCs courses help build capacity and have been positively received by First Nation participants and communities, who we have heard want to see this relationship continue.

WCWC also offers pilot testing to help drinking water system owners and operators better understand source water characteristics, treatment process performance and alternative treatment options.

The ministry is working with the WCWC to implement a streamlined and coordinated one-window intake of First Nations requests for provincial drinking water services, including the provision of training and pilot testing for First Nation owners and operators. The WCWCs aims to continue to provide its training and pilot testing at no cost to First Nations. This would include engaging with First Nations to understand their needs and help ensure that services meet them.

The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) also offers a full range of technical training in water and wastewater treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, preventive maintenance, electrical awareness, health and safety and compliance subjects on a fee for service basis. First Nation operator training services are delivered as part of OCWAs operations and engineering services or through third-party training agreements.

In 2021 a First Nations Advisory Circle was created that reports to OCWAs Board of Directors and provides advice and recommendations on how OCWA can enhance its partnerships with First Nation communities and better support their water and wastewater needs and concerns. The Circle may also advise on the integration of First Nation perspectives into OCWAs strategies. OCWA is committed to strengthening its existing partnerships with First Nations and developing new partnerships based on mutual trust, respect and collaboration. As of December 2, 2022, the Circle had met five times.  It is hoped that the First Nations Advisory Circle will add tremendous value to the path forward for safe drinking water and wastewater systems in First Nation communities, and it is encouraging to see these collaborative efforts. Further information on how OCWA supports First Nation communities’ access to safe, sustainable drinking water can be found on the Ontario Clean Water Agency website.

More work must be done so that First Nation communities in the province can dependably access clean drinking water. Ontario is working collaboratively, in partnership with its agencies, First Nations and the federal government through Indigenous Services Canada, to support the resolution of long-term drinking water advisories in First Nation communities and the long-term sustainability of each community’s water infrastructure.

Actions to protect water sources

Update on blue-green algal blooms

Blue-green algal blooms continue to be an issue that people across the province are concerned about, especially during the warmer months. As of December 6, 2022, 54 of the blooms reported to the ministry this year were confirmed to be blue-green algal blooms.

You can read more about Ontario’s 12-point plan to address blue-green algal blooms, including what they are, how to recognize them, and how to report them.

Clean Water Act and source protection plan update

Ontario continues to ensure our sources of drinking water are protected through ongoing oversight and implementation of the source protection program under the Clean Water Act, 2006.

Source protection plans have been in effect for all 38 source protection areas in Ontario since 2016. These locally-developed plans contain policies to protect sources of drinking water from risks such as handling or storage of road salt, fuel, pesticides, and other activities that can be detrimental to the quality and quantity of our drinking water. In addition to the protection provided for almost 440 municipal drinking water systems, the source protection plans include information that can be used to help protect other types of drinking water systems.

Individuals and communities with their own drinking water systems that have not been included in source protection plans, such as farmers and cottagers, as well as Indigenous communities, may not be aware of the risks to their drinking water sources, or how to take action to address those risks. To help these communities and landowners have access to a range of simple, cost-effective tools to protect their drinking water sources, we released best practices for source water protection in February 2022.

The new user-friendly best practices provide information and tips to help private landowners and communities protect their drinking water sources from contamination. For example, the best practices explain how to keep source water safe by checking that a septic system is functioning properly and that on-site fuel tanks and pesticides are stored safely.

Ontario continues to fund source protection authorities to carry out their legislated duties and support municipalities in meeting their obligations, which includes keeping their plans up to date. In 2021, four source protection plans were updated or amended to address new or changing systems, and the ministry made associated updates to the Source Protection Information Atlas to keep stakeholders and the public aware of changes to the associated vulnerable areas. The ministry also delivered two training sessions to help ensure municipalities have qualified risk management officials and inspectors in place to carry out their duties under the Clean Water Act, 2006.

By the end of 2021, local source protection authorities reported that, cumulatively:

  • >260
    More than 260 municipalities are updating their official plans to implement land use planning policies to prohibit certain activities that pose a risk to sources of drinking water, such as septic systems, the storage of pesticides and waste disposal sites.
  • >1,540
    More than 1,540 property-specific risk management plans are in place across the province covering over 1,900 properties and addressing over 3,100 drinking water threat activities, such as the handling and storage of road salt, fuel, or organic solvents, among other activities.
  • 99.7%
    Provincial ministries have completed 99.7% of the review and amendments to their prescribed instruments (i.e., permits approvals, licences, etc. that govern existing drinking water threat activities).
  • 6,900
    Over 6,900 septic systems are undergoing regularly scheduled inspections.
  • >1,900
    Over 1,900 road signs have been installed across the province on certain municipal roads and provincial highways to help increase awareness of drinking water protection zones.

The source protection authorities also note achievements in communicating the importance of source water protection. For example:

  • a number of education and awareness activities were carried out in Wellington County including the publication of newspaper ads on topics related to water conservation, salt and fertilizer use. There was also a virtual Waterloo-Wellington Children’s Water Festival held in May, in which 178 schools participated
  • in the Niagara Region, incentive programs at local municipalities and the conservation authority continued in 2021 to support disconnecting storm drains from local sewers, and the groundwater well decommissioning program
  • staff at South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Authority continue to collaborate with the Ontario Petroleum Transporters and Technicians Association to deliver source water protection education and outreach to the largest fuel distribution companies in the region. The collaboration provides fuel distributors with an introduction to source water protection concepts, informs them of where the vulnerable areas are located, and discusses ways fuel providers can protect sources of drinking water by helping to prevent spills around municipal water wells
  • in the Quinte source protection region, in collaboration with Conservation Ontario, Drinking Water Protection Zone road signs were promoted through a three-week awareness campaign, which included an interactive online map, a dedicated song and daily social media posts
  • the City of Greater Sudbury, through its “EarthCare Minute” program on local television, highlights municipal environmental programs and provides viewers with tips to reduce their own environmental footprint. Some of the episodes that aired in 2021 related to source protection include ‘Spring Flood Prevention’, ‘Phosphorus Free Lawn Care’ and ‘Winter Salt Management'. This program reaches approximately 80,000 viewers on a weekly basis

COVID‑19 wastewater surveillance

The COVID‑19 Wastewater Surveillance Initiative is a key tool to understand the community presence of COVID‑19 infections. This initiative uses wastewater sampling to supplement clinical and public health data and helps local public health units identify potential COVID‑19 outbreaks, which can inform decisions on where and how to mobilize resources in response.

The 2021 Minister’s Annual Report reported the government’s investment of over $22 million towards the initiative. Since then, the government has invested an additional $24.7 million in 2022 to sustain the initiative and learn how wastewater surveillance could be used to detect other targets of public health significance (for example, monkeypox and other respiratory viruses and chemicals of concern).

Some achievements of the initiative include:

The initiative is also working on developing a predictive model to forecast COVID‑19 infection rates using wastewater data to help anticipate future outbreaks, furthering the use of wastewater to identify and monitor specific COVID‑19 variants of concern, as well as supporting several research projects in partnership with academic institutions that focus on tracking additional targets such as influenza or opioids in wastewater. These research projects will help to inform the future road map of wastewater surveillance as a public health tool.

Ontario Community Environment Fund

In May 2021, the ministry re-launched the enhanced Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF). In spring 2022, the ministry awarded close to $900,000 in funding, collected from Administrative Penalties (i.e., environmental penalties), to 17 projects in four of the ministry’s five regions. OCEF uses funds collected from environmental penalties to support communities undertaking environmental improvement projects in the regions where violations have occurred.

These 17 projects support the protection of Ontario’s water resources through activities including: restoration of near-shore riparian buffer zone, wetland and stream restoration, installation of livestock exclusion fencing, improving stormwater management and providing water-science education and training to Indigenous youth. A complete list of the projects can be found here.

Taking action on discharges of wastewater and stormwater to our waterways

Wastewater and stormwater from urban areas can add pollutants, such as phosphorus, to lakes and rivers, resulting in negative impacts on water quality and contributing to the formation of harmful algal blooms.

The ministry is taking action to help municipalities increase transparency related to these events and build the storm and wastewater infrastructure necessary to help ensure cleaner water and tackle the pollution from wastewater and stormwater overflows that many communities experience.

Improving Monitoring and Public Reporting of Sewage Overflows and Bypasses Funding Program and Improving Wastewater and Stormwater Discharges in Lake Ontario Funding Program

The ministry has invested close to $10 million to help 19 municipalities increase transparency around monitoring and public reporting of sewage overflows and bypasses from municipal wastewater systems into Ontario’s lakes and rivers. For example, Niagara Region is receiving funding through this program and will be using it to install flow metering and monitoring at additional bypass/overflow sites to better identify, manage, and report these events. Part of this work will also include installing signage at combined sewer overflow locations as well as develop a user-friendly, public-facing system for bypass and overflow reporting. The City of Hamilton will be using this funding to improve current monitoring and real-time reporting of sewage bypass and overflow events by the replacement and addition of new monitors that will detect and/or measure flow, level and direction at 16 new locations along with other improvements.

I’d like to thank the provincial government for their investment today and for their ongoing commitment to clean water management that will protect our environment now and into the future.

Fred Eisenberger, Former Mayor of Hamilton

Source: Ontario Helping Municipalities Build Storm and Wastewater Infrastructure | Ontario Newsroom

Additionally, the ministry has invested $15 million to help 18 municipalities improve wastewater and stormwater discharges into Lake Ontario. This funding will help modernize wastewater and stormwater management systems in these areas to make them more efficient and reliable. Municipalities can use this funding to build storm and wastewater infrastructure, upgrade sewers and pumping stations and clean out debris from stormwater management ponds. For example, the Municipality of Port Hope is receiving funding through this program and will be using it to replace a lift station and add an oil grit separator at the municipal storm sewer system along Eldorado Place that will result in substantial improvements to the quality and the control of storm water discharges to the beachfront and Lake Ontario. The Municipality of Cobourg will be using this funding to clean-out two stormwater management ponds which will result in a reduction in contaminants, including phosphorous, being released to Midtown Creek, which leads to Lake Ontario.

The Town of Cobourg is beyond appreciative of this significant contribution to our infrastructure. Often, stormwater management ponds are overlooked as a form of wastewater treatment.

Laurie Wills, Director of Public Works, Town of Cobourg

Source: Province announces $1.1M to help with cleaner water, better wastewater systems in Cobourg, Port Hope | ThePeterboroughExaminer.com

These new initiatives will help better manage wastewater and stormwater across the province. Municipalities eligible to receive funding have signed agreements and are now undertaking projects.

Improving municipal reporting of bypass and overflow events to the ministry

The ministry is making it faster and easier for municipalities to notify the ministry when bypass and overflow events occur.

In 2020, the ministry began piloting an online wastewater bypass and overflow reporting portal with 13 municipalities and one operating authority, representing different regions across the province and covering both rural and urban areas and major cities. The bypass and overflow portal is a web-based application designed for the reporting of wastewater bypasses and overflows discharged from municipal wastewater systems into Ontario waterways to the ministry.

In April 2022, the sewage Bypass and Overflow portal transitioned away from a pilot and all municipalities and/or wastewater system operating authorities were invited to voluntarily use this reporting method to provide the ministry with bypasses and overflow event information.

This online tool is making reporting incidents faster and simpler for municipalities and wastewater system operators so that they can focus more resources on preventing bypasses and overflows from occurring in the first place.

Wastewater and Stormwater Discussion Paper, and draft Low Impact Development Guidance Manual

In January 2022, the ministry posted for a 90-day public consultation period a Municipal Wastewater and Stormwater Management in Ontario Discussion Paper on ideas to improve the management of municipal wastewater and stormwater in Ontario. The ministry will consider this public input in potential future development of policy proposals related to the topics of the Discussion Paper, such as new policies, policy updates and regulations for further public consultation.

Also in January 2022, the ministry posted for a 90-day public consultation period a draft Low Impact Development Stormwater Management Guidance Manual developed with input from external stakeholders. Low impact development uses techniques that mimic the natural environment and allow rainwater to be absorbed where it falls. Examples include rain gardens, green roofs, urban trees, permeable pavement and rainwater harvesting that can minimize the harmful impacts of stormwater runoff. The ministry has considered all public comments received. Once finalized, the guidance manual will help municipalities, developers, property owners and others to protect the environment, manage rain where it falls, help reduce flood risks, and increase resiliency to climate change.

Muskoka Watershed Conservation and Management Initiative

As of March 2022, the ministry has invested almost $5 million in the Muskoka Watershed Conservation and Management Initiative. 19 projects were funded that address the impacts of flooding and erosion, integrated watershed management, and watershed biodiversity and ecosystem health.

The projects completed through the Muskoka Watershed Conservation and Management Initiative will help the province develop a more comprehensive approach to watershed management, inform current actions and future development, and support Muskoka residents, the local economy and a thriving tourism industry.

Wetlands Conservation Partner Program

The Ontario government is investing $30 million over five years in wetland enhancement and restoration projects through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program (WCPP).

In 2021, the first year of the five-year program, Ontario partnered with Ducks Unlimited Canada to provide $6 million to support wetlands projects in the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie watersheds and connecting waterways. Ducks Unlimited Canada has undertaken 60 projects representing 956 hectares of wetlands.

In 2022, the second year of the WCPP, the program has expanded to include agreements that provide another $6 million to six conservation organizations. Approximately 120 projects will be implemented within the Great Lakes watersheds and connecting waterways, representing approximately 800 hectares of wetlands.

Lake Simcoe

In 2022, the 10-year review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan was completed. The Plan uses a watershed approach to protect and restore ecological health by looking at problems and pursuing solutions for Lake Simcoe, the rivers and streams that drain into it, and the natural heritage features that surround it. The Plan’s policies build on the protections created by the Clean Water Act, 2006 by managing issues that can affect drinking water and aquatic health.   Learn about what Ontario is doing to protect Lake Simcoe and its watershed, and emerging challenges, including climate change and invasive species, at Protecting Lake Simcoe.    

Lake Simcoe Phosphorus Reduction Project

Ontario is committed to protecting local water resources and ensuring sewage treatment plants meet stringent requirements for environmental protection. To further protect Lake Simcoe from increased phosphorus in runoff, Ontario is investing $24 million over three years in a new phosphorus reduction facility. This new facility aims to reduce up to five tonnes of phosphorus from entering Lake Simcoe on an annual basis. Through this investment the government is protecting Lake Simcoe and helping to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the local waterways and keep them safe and clean for generations to come.

Great Lakes Local Action Fund

The government’s Great Lakes Local Action Fund is supporting community projects that protect and restore coastal, shoreline and nearshore areas of the Great Lakes.

The launch of the first round of the new Great Lakes Local Action Fund was reported on in the 2021 Minister’s Annual Report on Drinking Water.  A full list of the projects funded in the first round can be found here.

In early 2022, the government announced the launch of the second round of the Great Lakes Local Action Fund, and funding recipient announcements commenced on October 13, 2022.  Up to $1.9 million in funding is being provided to organizations such as community groups, Indigenous communities, small businesses, conservation authorities and municipalities to support 37 projects.  More information about the Great Lakes Local Action fund will be posted on the webpage as it becomes available

Conclusion

As the government continues to manage COVID‑19 for the long-term, the ministry remains committed to prioritizing the safety of our drinking water and water resources. I am proud of the work the ministry has done throughout the pandemic. From providing support to Public Health Ontario to help ensure that they could shift their attention away from drinking water testing and instead deliver critical clinical testing for COVID‑19, to taking strong action to reduce discharges of wastewater and stormwater into our waterways, we have continued to achieve positive outcomes to protect human health and the environment. Projects such as the Wastewater Surveillance Initiative provided crucial information on the community presence of COVID‑19 infections and its Variants of Concern during a critical time in the pandemic. The innovative work that has been done and continues to be done through the Initiative will help inform the future of wastewater surveillance as a public health tool.

Ontario’s more than 250,000 lakes contain about one-fifth of the world's fresh water. Although the data summarized in this report and in the Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Annual Report shows that Ontario continues to have clean and safe drinking water that is among the best protected in the world, we know that this precious resource is something that we must never take for granted. We know that we must remain vigilant. Our ongoing work to protect our water resources and hold polluters accountable will help ensure that Ontarians can continue to enjoy clean water and a healthy environment for generations to come.