truly Canadian

Photos copyright to Sandamara Images 1999-2006: L Grand River as seen from Walter Bean Tail at Victoria Street access; R Moose River Harbour looking inland with tide from James Bay in. Two very different river systems: the one flowing through one of the most heavily urbanized areas in Canada whereas the other drains the Northern boreal forest covering most of the Canadian Shield into the muskeg of the James Bay Lowlands.

Ontario's Clean Water Act to protect drinking water sources was tabled last December per The Record 6 Dec 06 and is based on watershed planning. Some highlights from the background as they relate to the Waterloo Moraine within the Grand River watershed:

1. "The presence of naturally vegetated areas, distributed across the landscape, is one sign of' healthy' ecosystems. In a drinking water context, watersheds with more vegetative cover are better able to keep soil, nutrients, pathogens and contaminants on the landscape and out of groundwater and surface waters. In an ecological context, vegetated systems help maintain the integrity of surface waters. For example, swamps (forested wetlands)in headwater areas, which are often found in zones of groundwater discharge, help reduce sediment loadings and minimize increases in water temperatures. Many cold-water streams, and most brook trout streams, originate in swamps...
2. "Wetlands, especially small, ephemeral wetlands, can be significant contributors to groundwater in their capacity to capture spring snowmelt and allow percolation into the ground. In this situation, the protection of natural areas, which have important ecological values, can also generate benefits to existing and potential future water supplies. Another example is the restoration of natural areas, especially riparian areas adjacent to streams. The ecological benefits of these restoration efforts include reduced habitatfragmentation and increased viability of wildlife populations (with improved quality of surface waters being the main hydrological benefit)...
3. " Wetlands gain a degree of protection by various Ontario government policies (e.g.,wetlands component of the Provincial Policy statements). Small, ephemeral wetlands, however, are generally not well protected. The provincial government should continue to strengthen protective instruments for wetland conservation generally, while adding policies that protect the small wetlands that generate groundwater recharge. Indeed, many wetlands are actually a function of groundwater discharge...
4. "Water quantity and quality problems are more likely to occur in watersheds where there is little natural vegetative cover. Watershed characteristics such as extent (%cover) of naturally vegetated areas, and impervious surfaces can be used as measures of watershed health.**
5. "Aquitard -The geological formation with a low permeability which transmits water at a very
   slow rate. When located above an aquifer it may form a significant protective layer.
6. "Hydrological cycle -The cyclic circulation of water from the atmosphere to the earth and back through precipitation, runoff, infiltration, groundwater flow and evapotranspiration . Hydrological features include: (a)permanent and intermittent streams, (b)wetlands, (c)kettle lakes and their surface catchment areas, (d)seepage areas and springs, and (e)aquifers and recharge areas.
7. "Ground water supplies are typically protected by subsurface soils because infiltrating water is filtered and purified as it moves down into the subsurface. Ground water is generally considered to be uncontaminated because the natural processes of filtration and purification are assumed to exist with the exception some vulnerable areas (e.g.,shallow soils)." Copied from 4935e technical report FYI only
   
8. Clean Water Act 05 and background technical report can be found at these links: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/water/spp.htm click on 4935e technical report
   
9. http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/water/cwa.htm “The region [of Waterloo]has already gone a long ways toward protecting water sources** and is among the leaders when it comes to groundwater protection.” – Peter Krause, Chair GRCA per Burtt,“Guarding the Source,” The Record 7 Dec 05

** Region of Waterloo water protection measures: 
a. Well-head protection areas
b. Rural Water Quality Program
c. Business Water Quality Program
d. Aquifer storage plan
as well as planning strategies thus: “The presence of the regional recharge area associated with the Waterloo Moraine was one of the key reasons why [the RGMS] has proposed redirecting growth away from the western edge of the CUA [City Urban Area] through the establishment of a permanent “countryside line.” per  Regional report of 15 Apr 03

** Grand watershed health? 19% Grand watershed is forested = 300% increase since beginning of 20C but Environment Canada recommends 30% necessary for healthy watershed; however, highly fragmented with many small forests and too
few linkages between them. All of this a significant improvement but we have to keep working on reforestation and preventing further losses!