Source Water Protection in the County of Brant

Protecting our drinking water at its source is the most effective and affordable way to ensure a safe and sustainable water supply for all residents of the County of Brant.

By keeping contaminants out of our rivers, lakes, and groundwater, we protect public health and the environment.

What is Source Water Protection?

Source water protection is a management strategy designed to minimize the impact of human activities on the quality and supply of our drinking water resources. It is part of a "multi-barrier" approach in Ontario that safeguards water from the source all the way to your tap.

In our community, these efforts are coordinated by the Grand River Source Protection Plan, which covers the Grand River watershed.

Our Drinking Water Systems

The County of Brant manages several municipal residential drinking water systems:

Groundwater Systems:

The Airport, Mt. Pleasant, Paris, and St. George drinking water systems rely on groundwater.

Surface Water Systems:

The Cainsville system receives water from the City of Brantford, which is sourced directly from the Grand River.

Understanding Vulnerable Areas

The Source Protection Plan identifies "vulnerable areas" where activities on the land have the highest potential to affect water quality or quantity.

The area of land surrounding a municipal well.

The surface water and surrounding lands around a municipal water intake.

Specific zones where certain contaminants, such as sodium and nitrate, have been identified as a water quality concern.

How You Can Help

Protecting our water is a shared responsibility. Residents, farmers and businesses can take simple steps to make a difference:

Avoid Spills: Use funnels when filling gas tanks for lawnmowers or boats to prevent fuel from soaking into the ground.

Septic Maintenance: If you are on a private septic system, ensure it is pumped and inspected regularly to prevent leaks.

Household Chemicals: Never pour oils, paints, or chemicals down the drain or onto the ground.

Reduce Fertilizer Use: Excess nutrients from fertilizers and manure can infiltrate into the ground and run off into waterways.

Native Plants: Plant native species along shorelines to help filter runoff before it enters the water.

Salt Alternatives: Limit the use of de-icing salt on driveways and walkways to protect against sodium entering our drinking water source.

Farming Best Practices: Farms located within vulnerable areas may be required to implement best management practices and complete Risk Management Plans to protect the source water near the farm. Farming operations can have an impact on both surface water sources and groundwater. Fertilizers, pesticides, manure and nutrients can be washed into surface water bodies or infiltrate into groundwater posing a risk to our drinking water sources.

Reducing the amount of water we use helps ensure there is enough for everyone, especially during dry periods.

Outdoor Water Use: Follow the County of Brant water conservation tips and only water your lawn during permitted times.

Rain Barrels: Use rain barrels to collect water for your garden, which reduces the demand on municipal systems and the groundwater resource.

Learn more about the Rural Water Quality Program. Financial assistance is available to qualified farmers and landowners to share the cost of selected projects that improve and protect ground and surface water quality.

Vulnerable Area Mapping

To see if your home or business is located in a source water protection zone, you can use these official mapping tools:

Source Protection Information Atlas: Provided by the Province of Ontario, this tool allows you to search your address to see if you are within a Wellhead Protection Area or Intake Protection Zone.

Resources for Residents

Well Water Testing: If you use a private well, free water testing kits for bacteria like E. coli are available at the County of Brant

Contact the County: For questions about municipal water operations, contact operations@brant.ca or call 519.44BRANT (519.442.7268)