Provincial proposals focus on modernizing drinking water source protection

OCTOBER 27, 2026 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KAWARTHA LAKES, ON - Modernizing and streamlining how drinking water source protection is delivered, while maintaining existing plans and protections, is the focus of provincial proposals released October 22. Kawartha Conservation will work with municipalities and source protection partners to support local programs as the proposed framework takes shape.

Source water protection helps prevent contamination and depletion of the lakes, rivers and groundwater that supply drinking water. It is an important part of protecting public health, alongside drinking water treatment, testing and distribution.

“People depend on safe drinking water every day. Protecting the sources of that water takes ongoing work, local knowledge and strong relationships with municipalities and residents,” said Mark Majchrowski, CAO of Kawartha Conservation. “Our commitment to that work continues through this transition.”

The proposals would align source protection arrangements with the new regional conservation authority structure. Under the proposed changes, the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority (ELORCA) would be responsible, as the source protection authority, for supporting the Cataraqui, Trent Conservation Coalition and Quinte Source Protection Committees during the period before watershed councils are established.

Existing source protection areas and source protection plans would remain in place. The Province’s stated intent is to maintain drinking water safeguards and uninterrupted program delivery as source protection arrangements are modernized.

Source Protection Committees have helped develop and maintain local plans by bringing together municipal, community and sector perspectives. Their work helps connect technical information about drinking water risks with the conditions and needs of individual communities.

“Kawartha-Haliburton Source Protection Committee members have contributed greatly to understanding local drinking water risks and working through how to address them,” said Majchrowski. “That contribution deserves recognition. The knowledge and relationships built through this work remain valuable to the communities that depend on it.”

A longer-term provincial proposal would see watershed councils fulfill the role of Source Protection Committees, with some committee functions and duties transferring to source protection authorities. Existing committees would continue until councils are established and begin performing those roles. The Province is seeking early input on council functions, membership and procedures.

“The intent of these proposals is to modernize how source protection is delivered while keeping existing plans and drinking water protections in place,” said Alison McDonald, Project Executive for the ELORCA transition. “The work municipalities, committee members and source protection staff have done will carry forward. Their local knowledge and experience will help guide our work together.”

“Protecting the water residents rely on every day remains our shared priority,” added McDonald. “As the proposals move through consultation, we will work with municipalities and source protection teams to support strong local programs and continuity of service. There is an opportunity to build on the partnerships and experience that support drinking water protection across our communities.”

Residents and municipalities can review and comment on the Province’s proposed Clean Water Act regulatory changes and watershed council discussion questions through the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Both consultations close December 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.