Water is a precious resource. Whether it’s for drinking, industrial use or for recreational use, having a safe and reliable source of water is critical to almost every aspect of our lives – now and in the future.

In May of 2000, the events in Walkerton, Ontario showed us how easily our water supply can become contaminated when not properly managed. The Walkerton tragedy led the Ontario Government to launch a public inquiry lead by the Honourable Dennis O’Connor to determine exactly what happened. His findings and recommendations concluded that we need to do a better job in protecting our water resources.

Justice O’Connor recommended managing our water resources on a watershed basis. He also recommended using a Multi-Barrier Approach. This approach protects water at its source, requires adequate water treatment, trained water treatment operators, a clean distribution system and water quality testing.

Drinking Water Source Protection is a resource planning process that aims to keep our municipal sources of drinking water safe and dependable. Ontario’s Clean Water Act received Royal Assent on October 19, 2006 and the associated Regulations were proclaimed into force on July 3, 2007. The Act ensures communities are able to protect their municipal drinking water supplies through local identification and assessment of drinking water threats and the development of a Source Protection Plan.

The Mattagami Region Source Protection Authority will assist in the planning process for the Mattagami Region Source Protection Area. A Source Protection Plan will be developed by a Source Protection Committee comprised of local stakeholder representatives from the City of Timmins, industry and other community groups.

Mattagami Region Source Protection Planning Area Map - PDF File