Module 10 — Groundwater Management
85
Protection and Conservation
Protecting groundwater resources against overuse, mining and pollution is an integral
part of any water management strategy.
Both the
Water Act
and the
Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
provide
protection for our water resources. For example, all licensed water well contractors must
obtain an approval that authorizes them to drill water wells in the province. The approval is
issued only if the company has certified journeyman water well drillers available to operate
each one of their drilling machines. The standards for drilling, constructing and reclaiming
wells is outlined in the Water (Ministerial) Regulation of the
Water Act
and it applies to all
water wells, whether they are installed for temporary water supply or for long term use.
While regulations and legislation go a long to way to protect our water sources, it is the
users who have the greatest impact on the safety of the water supply.
We can no longer take for granted an unending supply of good quality groundwater.
Water must be managed, protected and conserved for future use. Remember, our land-use
activities can have a negative impact on groundwater quality and cumulative use can affect
water availability.
See Module 9 "Plugging Abandoned Wells" for
details on how to properly plug a well.
Fertilizers, pesticides, fuel storage tanks,
landfills, animal waste and septic systems
are examples of potential contamination
sources. Always observe the regulated
minimum setback distances from
contamination sources. See Module 3 ”Design
and Construction of Water Wells”.