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Line 8: − == Supporting Policies == − Within the Province of Ontario, we are fortunate to have a number of pre-existing policies, protocols and guidance documents which directly and/or indirectly support various elements related to water management. This wiki is one such guide. The following policies are also relevant to integrated water management decision making: − === Provincial Policy Statement === − The Provincial Policy Statement states “the watershed is the ecologically meaningful scale for integrated and long-term planning.” This guide puts forward the watershed and/or subwatershed as an incredibly useful boundary to consider for water sustainability planning. The Provincial Policy Statement also emphasizes that planning authorities should consider the potential increased natural hazard risk associated with climate change. − === Provincial Water Quality Objectives (PWQO's) === − Water management in Ontario is, in part, guided by the policies outlined in this document, also known as the “Blue Book.” This document provides direction on management of surface water and groundwater from a quality and quantity perspective. These are the stated goals of the document: − *Ensure water quality is satisfactory for aquatic life and recreation, to preserve groundwater quality to a quality protective of the greatest number of beneficial uses. − *Manage surface water and groundwater quantity to ensure a fair sharing among users, water conservation, and sustainability of the resource. − − The Blue Book outlines the Provincial Water Quality Objectives (PWQO), which are numerical and narrative criteria which serve as chemical and physical indicators representing satisfactory level for surface waters and where it discharges to the surface water and groundwater of the Province. The PWQO are a set at a level of water quality that is protective of all forms of requirements aquatic life and recreational use of surface waters. − === The Safe Drinking Water Act === − Under Section 19 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, decision makers for municipal drinking water systems can be held personally liable for failing to act in a reasonable way to ensure the safety of drinking water system user. A water sustainability plan considers potential impacts to drinking water sources and services, and puts forwards a plan to limit those impacts to promote safe and sustainable drinking water services into the future. − === The Ontario Water Resources Act === − The Ontario Water Resources Act includes provisions for controlling discharge of pollutants into waters that could result in impaired water quality. Section 53 the Ontario Water Resources Act requires environmental compliance approvals for sewage works (including stormwater and wastewater − works). − === The Environmental Protection Act === − The Environmental Protection Act governs the discharge of contaminants into the natural environment where that discharge could cause an adverse effect. − === The Environmental Assessment Act === − The Ontario Environmental Assessment Act provides a process by which the environmental impacts of infrastructure projects, including municipal infrastructure, can be considered and approved by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Water, wastewater and stormwater master plans are typically carried out following the class environmental assessment (Class EA) process. If the infrastructure project follows the planning process outlined in the Class EA, it does not need additional approval under the Environmental Assessment Act. − === The Water Opportunities Act, 2010 === − The purposes of the Water Opportunities Act are to foster innovative water, wastewater, and stormwater technologies, services and practices; to create opportunities for economic development and clean-technology jobs in Ontario; and to conserve and sustain water resources for present and future generations. The Act provides a framework for municipal water sustainability plans, which include asset management, financial, and water conservation plans, as well as risk assessment, and actions to maintain and improve water services. − === The Endangered Species Act === − Many municipalities and watersheds in Ontario provide habitat for endangered species. This habitat may include aquatic species that can be impacted by water management activities, such as municipal and wastewater discharge, groundwater taking, and land use changes resulting in altered hydrology. A water sustainability plan should identify sensitive habitats that may require protection to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act and create a plan for water management activities that enhance and protect that habitat.
Managing Costs and Containing Risks using the One Water Approach (view source)
Revision as of 21:39, 17 September 2017
, 6 years agono edit summary
== Phased Approaches to Implementing an Integrated Water Management Strategy ==
== Phased Approaches to Implementing an Integrated Water Management Strategy ==
The purpose of this section of the wiki guide is to provide direction on how to follow a phased approach to completing a water sustainability plan. It is a tool that water managers can use to streamline planning efforts, reduce costs, and coordinate decisions and management tasks relating to water infrastructure. This section also includes suggestions on how to expand upon existing information to fill data gaps within a given study area. It will also provide linkages to – and build upon - many external resources produced by the STEP partners that give further guidance and consideration to matters which impinge upon sustainable planning and the One Water approach, including matters pertaining to climate change, asset management, risk assessment and more. To ensure that we are making informed water management decisions and developing only the most prudent stormwater designs it is critical that we accept and embrace the intrinsically interconnected nature of water resources in Ontario.
The purpose of this section of the wiki guide is to provide direction on how to follow a phased approach to completing a water sustainability plan. It is a tool that water managers can use to streamline planning efforts, reduce costs, and coordinate decisions and management tasks relating to water infrastructure. This section also includes suggestions on how to expand upon existing information to fill data gaps within a given study area. It will also provide linkages to – and build upon - many external resources produced by the STEP partners that give further guidance and consideration to matters which impinge upon sustainable planning and the One Water approach, including matters pertaining to climate change, asset management, risk assessment and more. To ensure that we are making informed water management decisions and developing only the most prudent stormwater designs it is critical that we accept and embrace the intrinsically interconnected nature of water resources in Ontario.