Ontario borders on four of the five Great Lakes and we have more than a quarter of a million lakes, rivers and streams and rich groundwater resources – not to mention a multitude of plants and animals that necessarily thrive in such lush surroundings. This natural wealth is a blessing. It’s the basis for our prosperity, our growth and our quality of life.
But with great wealth, comes great responsibility. All of us in Ontario have a role to play in protecting our fresh water. Our lives depend upon it as much as the air we breathe and the soil we till.
The government's aim is to protect both our drinking water and our fresh water resources at large from pollution, whether it's from industrial sources, sewage systems, chemicals in use at farms, or any other source – even rainwater containing particulates from polluted air.
Protecting water at its source is the first step in ensuring that every Ontarian has access to safe drinking water. By stopping contaminants from getting into sources of drinking water - lakes, rivers and aquifers - we can provide the first line of defense in the protection of our environment and the health of Ontarians.