Protecting Water

Protecting drinking water from contamination is the first step in safeguarding the health of all living creatures. Clean and safe water contributes to good health and longevity. 

By protecting water at the source, you can avoid the costly treatment equipment to clean contaminated water or finding a new uncontaminated water source. You can also save some money if you reduce your use. Conserving water will not only reduce your water bill, but it will also reduce your electricity bill because you are heating less water.

In some areas of Ontario, we use water faster than it can be naturally replenished, which can lead to long-term water shortages. However, smart water use stretches our water resources, helping avoid seasonal and long-term shortages, and saving thousands of litres of water per person each year! Protecting sources of water will allow our communities to plan properly for future development and ensure opportunity for economic growth.

The more water you use, the more energy it takes to treat, deliver and heat your water. Energy is also required to treat your wastewater so it can be safely put back into the environment. Most electricity produced in Ontario comes with an environmental cost such as pollution, which means the more water you use, the more stress you are putting on the environment. If a water source runs low or dry, communities are forced to find new sources of drinking water. The result can be drilling more wells, withdrawing more water from natural water bodies, seeking new sources of water, or creating dams and reservoirs. Solutions such as these can stress the environment by altering natural ecosystems, draining aquifers, and draining or altering wetlands which help supply and replenish our water.