Source Water Protection
What is Source Protection?
Source protection is how water quality and quantity for municipal supplies will be protected.
The City of Vaughan protects our water supplies by implementing the Credit Valley, Toronto and Region and Central Lake Ontario (CTC) Source Protection Plan (Plan). The Plan was created following the Walkerton incident of 2000, that contaminated the drinking water of the community’s municipal well. The Walkerton Inquiry led to a multi-barrier system approach, one that ensures source water protection, adequate treatment, secure distribution systems, proper monitoring and warning systems, as well as strategic responses to adverse conditions. The Plan is mandated under the Clean Water Act, 2006 and municipalities are mandated to implement the Plan.
The Plan took effect on December 31, 2015 and was applied immediately to all threat activities. The Plan establishes how water quality and quantity for municipal water supplies will be protected.
How is the City implementing Source Protection?
The City contains four Vulnerable Areas, as follows:
- Kleinburg Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) (York Region Source Water Protection Permit)
- Highly Vulnerable Aquifers (HVA)
- Recharge Management Areas (WHPA-Q)
- Significant Groundwater Recharge Areas (SGRA)
The City is required to screen all development applications including:
- Official Plan Amendments (advisory)
- Zoning By-Law Amendments (advisory)
- Plans of Subdivision
- Site Plan Application
- Building Permits
How to screen your property for source protection threats?
Use the York Region Source Water Protection Maps
Lands within Recharge Management Areas require a Water Balance Assessment
The City’s Development Engineering Department reviews Water Balance Assessments for technical requirements. Refer to these guidance documents for more information:
TRCA Recharge Management Area - WHPA-Q Guidance Document 2019.
York Region Recharge Management Area - WHPA-Q FAQs
For information on technical requirements, please contact the Development Engineering Department at the City of Vaughan -905-832-2281 or developmentengineering@vaughan.ca.
Next Steps
As part of the Official Plan Review, the City will be updating Chapter 3 of the City of Vaughan Official Plan 2010, to conform to the 2022 York Regional Official Plan.