Some of the problems plaguing surface water, as outlined in the Ontario BMP booklet include the following:

·    Surface runoff from unprotected farmland will deposit sediments and nutrients into embankment ponds - making them unfit for irrigation, livestock watering, recreation or wildlife

·    Plant nutrients move with eroded soil particles into waterways stimulating weed and algae growth. When the algae dies and decays, oxygen in the water is used up. This threatens fish and aquatic life.

·     Excessive sediment in streams can destroy fish and wildlife habitat and pollute water supplies.

·    Pollution from rural and urban sources may limit the use of Ontario waters for swimming fishing and boating.
 

Possible Best Management Solutions to these problems could include:

·    Manure runoff can be prevented by avoiding or reducing application near surface waters. Separation distances for application can be calculated using information about soil nutrient levels, soil infiltration and runoff potential, field topography, manure nutrient levels and commercial fertilizer application rates. Separation distances must also take the proximity to surface water inlets into account.

·    Soil and water conservation Best Management Practices such as strip cropping will help protect surface waters by increasing field roughness and infiltration rates plus reducing runoff potential.

·    Soil conservation structures such as this series of terraces and drop inlet structures contain runoff in ponding areas as that sediments can settle out before entering surface waters.

·    Buffer strips along watercourses can curb surface water contamination by reducing field runoff and maintaining separation distances for nutrient and pesticide application.

·    A fenced pond to restrict access can provide livestock with a clean water source.
 

Some of the problems plaguing groundwater, as outlined in the Ontario BMP booklet include the following:

·    Pesticide contamination of groundwater is primarily due to carelessness around the farm well.

·    Application rates for nutrients, both commercial fertilizer and manure, must be determined with more than just crop yield in mind. Equal consideration should be given to possible damage to both groundwater and surface water from leaching and run-off.

·    Many streams and wetlands are fed by groundwater. Taking large amounts of groundwater for irrigation or livestock facilities can lower water levels in watercourses, wetlands and water wells.
 

Possible Best Management Solutions to these problems could include:

·    Proper siting and locations of wells and potential contaminants such as manure storages, fertilizer, fuel and pesticide storages, septic systems and maintenance shops.  Proper maintenance of these facilities and management of the nutrients, pesticides and fuels will help reduce groundwater contamination. 

·    Drip or trickle irrigation technology plus mulching is very water efficient combination: only the root zone of growing crop is watered and the mulch reduces evaporation

·    Unused wells are safety hazard and pose a risk to groundwater quality. They should be properly plugged and sealed.

·    Septic systems require maintenance - they should be cleaned out every 3 years.

·    To prevent leaks and spills, fuel tanks should be diked and sized to contain 110% of the total volume stored in the tank.
 

Bill 81 – The Nutrient Management Act, 2002   

The Bill deals with the management of materials containing nutrients which include materials such as manure that are applied to land for the purpose of improving the growing of agricultural crops or for the purpose of a use specified by regulation. Nutrients do not include any material that the regulations specify does not come within the definition. The Bill does not affect the application of the Environmental Protection Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act or the Pesticides Act. The proposed Act would enhance the protection of Ontario's groundwater by minimizing the effects of agricultural practices on the environment consistent with Commissioner Dennis O'Connor's final Walkerton Inquiry report. The provincial government will use the O'Connor report and the results of further consultations to develop standards, best practices and regulations to ensure both the best possible protection for the environment and the continued economic viability of farming.

Water Related Sections in Bill 81:

• Sec. 2 subsection (r): …the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations, requiring that geophysical studies be prepared to determine the types of soils on lands and the direction of groundwater flow through lands in relation to the use of materials containing nutrients and requiring that the studies be prepared by a person who has the prescribed qualifications;
• Section 6 subsection (d):... the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations restricting the access of farm animals to water and watercourses;
• Section 49.1.(a): On its own initiative or on the request of the prosecutor, a court that convicts a person of an offence under this Act, in addition to any other penalty imposed by the court, may order the person, to take the action, including but not limited to providing an alternate water supply, that the court directs within the time specified in the order to prevent, eliminate or ameliorate damage that results from or is in any way connected to the commission of the offence;

Outline of the Nutrient Management Act

Farmers and other persons are required to comply with the standards established by regulation. For example, the regulations may require persons to hold a certificate if they carry out prescribed management practices, to have a licence if they are engaged in the business of applying materials containing nutrients to lands or to obtain an approval for their nutrient management plans or strategies. The regulations can also establish local committees to assist in matters specified by the regulations, such as the mediation of disputes in connection with the management of materials containing nutrients on lands.

A provincial officer is entitled, without a warrant or court order, to enter and inspect any land or premises related to an agricultural operation or other operation affected by the Bill or to inspect a vehicle or vessel. A provincial officer may also obtain a court order for an inspection.

A provincial officer or Director may make orders to prevent, decrease or eliminate an adverse effect resulting from the discharge of materials containing nutrients into the natural environment. The Minister responsible for the administration of the Bill may apply for a court order restraining a person from continuing the contravention. In addition, a person who commits the contravention is guilty of an offence, but cannot be prosecuted if the administrative penalty for the contravention is paid.
 

Drinking Water Protection Regulation for Smaller Waterworks Serving Designated Facilities

This regulation strengthens the protection of populations that are less resistant to contaminants in drinking water. It applies to schools, day nurseries, nursing and retirement homes and social and health care facilities in the broader public sector and private sector that have their own water supply system and do not fall under the existing Drinking Water Protection Regulation (Ont. Reg. 459/00). Populations more sensitive to contaminants include: infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
 

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Handbook

The goal of the handbook is to provide municipalities, conservation authorities, community groups, businesses, and individuals with practical information on implementing pollution prevention and flow reduction programs for stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows

There are a large number of laws and guidelines protecting water resources in Ontario and across the country. In part, this is the result of all three levels of government attempting to manage water or issues related to water.