Table of Contents

Water Use and Supply in Ontario

Fresh water is a natural resource crucial to the economic and environmental well being of Ontario. Water supports almost all aspects of human activity including health, industrial development and recreation.

Historically, period of dry weather and low water levels or drought were relatively uncommon in Ontario occurring once every 10 – 15 years. However, recent studies on changing weather patterns indicate that low water levels may become more common, as the province's demand for water steadily increases.

This pamphlet is designed to provide an introduction to the Ontario Low Water Response plan.

Water Response Teams

Ontario Low Water Response (OLWR) is a strategy for local water users and those with an interest in water use to have input into the environmental, economic and social well being of their community. Water Response Teams are established in areas experiencing low water conditions so the local community can carry out actions to reduce and better manage water use. OLWR is intended to ensure that the province is prepared in case of low water conditions. The province provides overall direction while creating a partnership between provincial and local authorities to form a response to drought events.

By joining a Water Response Team you can help shape how your area will respond to low water situations. Your local Water Response Team can be reached by contacting your Conservation Authority or local Ministry of Natural Resources district office.

Monitoring Low Water

In order to recognize and measure the severity of a low water condition, precipitation, stream flow and water levels are monitored regularly by conservation authorities and the Ministry of Natural Resources. Conditions are described as one of three increasingly severe levels of low water (see chart below). Water Response Teams will decide on an appropriate response that may include the actions suggested in the chart below. Other measures and conservation practices may be initiated.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Your Participation is Important

Water Response Teams promote response plans and request all water users share the limited water. Municipal water use bylaws may be enacted at any stage of low water. Notices about reducing or better managing water use are typically posted in local newspapers, on Conservation Authority websites and on local radio stations. Notices may also be mailed to residents by municipalities or to large water users by the Ministry of the Environment. The whole community is asked to participate in the actions requested by the local Water Response Team.

All water users are faced with a challenge when water supplies become scarce. Working together with the Water Response Team, the stress on our water resources can be reduced. Please join your community in protecting your water source.

How Low Water Levels Affect You

In recent years, southwestern and eastern Ontario have experienced extended periods of low rainfall and high temperatures. These weather conditions have resulted in some of the lowest lake and river levels and driest soils recorded for several decades. Low water affects people using water from any source including:

• Municipal sources
• Private wells
• Lakes, rivers or ponds

All uses (home, industrial, agricultural, recreational etc.) are affected by low water conditions. These include:

• Watering crops, livestock
• Drinking water
• Other domestic uses
• Business/industrial
• Fire fighting
• Boating/fishing/swimming
• And many more

For more information

Ontario Low Water Response

• Response plan (PDF)
• Low water conditions reports, information and maps

Best Management Practices

• Water conservation tips in and around the home (PDF)
• How to prepare for irrigation during water shortages
• Water conservation tips for industry (PDF)