The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has posted its Water Quantity Management Program on the Environmental Registry of Ontario and is seeking public input! They propose to listen to municipalities when it comes to commercial water bottling while considering the environment in granting permits for water taking: “We are proposing regulatory changes for managing water takings to protect the long-term sustainability of surface water and groundwater and to ensure these important resources are responsibly managed and safeguarded now and for future generations.” – MECP.
You can go to this Ministry news site for the announcement, but here are some of the key changes proposed:
1. Requiring water-bottling companies to have support of their host municipalities for new and increasing bottled water takings, with an exemption for small businesses.
2. Establishing priorities of water use in the province that can guide water-taking decisions. Top priorities include protecting the environment and municipal water supplies, then agricultural irrigation. These would be followed by Commercial and industrial water taking, such as for water bottling.
3. Assessing and managing multiple water takings together in the areas of the province where water sustainability is a concern.
4. Making water-taking data available to the public to increase transparency of how Ontario manages water resources.
YOU CAN COMMENT ON THE PROPOSAL AND HELP PROTECT OUR WATER NOW & FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE DEADLINE TO COMMENT IS AUGUST 2!
Your input is very important! And they want to hear from you! They have asked a number of questions for you to consider in the proposal paper, found here.
Questions such as:
“Do you support including priorities of water use in regulation? Why or why not?”
“Do you support the proposal to require water bottling companies to seek support from their host municipality when applying for a Permit to Take Water? Why or why not?”
THEY’RE LISTENING TO US! SO PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT BY AUGUST 2.
Looking for help with your comments? We have drafted a number of comments for you to pick and choose from, and put into your own words here.
It is important to include the Registry Number 019-1340 with your comment!
TOGETHER WE WILL SAVE OUR WATER
