Water Governance Legislation Overview
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What is the primary purpose of the Clean Water Act in Ontario?

  • To regulate water distribution systems
  • To promote recreational water activities
  • To establish water pricing regulations
  • To protect existing and future sources of drinking water (correct)

    • What is the first step in Ontario's multi-barrier approach to drinking water protection?

  • Water treatment system implementation
  • Testing the treated water
  • Source water protection (correct)
  • Regular system inspections

    • Which of the following roles does the local multi-stakeholder source protection committee NOT fulfill?

  • Establishing source protection areas
  • Conducting water distribution tests (correct)
  • Identifying significant risks to drinking water sources
  • Developing plans to mitigate identified risks

    • What is mandatory regarding laboratories used for drinking water testing?

    <p>They must be licensed and accredited</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of the drinking water system is NOT included in the multi-barrier approach?

    <p>Infrastructure development</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary functions of Hamilton’s Sewer Use By-law 14-090?

    <p>Establish limits for common pollutants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which action is essential in ensuring the safety of municipal drinking water distribution systems?

    <p>Maintaining disinfectant in the distribution system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a consequence of urbanization on the hydrological cycle?

    <p>Decreased peak streamflows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How often do trained and certified operators test municipal residential drinking water?

    <p>Regularly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does urbanization have on groundwater recharge?

    <p>It reduces soil moisture replenishment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is NOT a requirement for water treatment systems as per Ontario’s standards?

    <p>Use of state-of-the-art technology only</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does urbanization impact stream morphology?

    <p>Increases sediment loads in streams</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a consequence of extreme shifts in hydrology and water quality due to urbanization?

    <p>Decline in aquatic habitat quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic response of streams to storm events in urbanized areas?

    <p>Increased frequency of summer floods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What monitoring capability does Hamilton’s Sewer Use By-law provide to the City?

    <p>Proactive measures to control and monitor discharges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following changes is a result of urbanization on streams?

    <p>Increased cross-sectional area of streams</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one primary purpose of the Water Resources Act in Ontario?

    <p>To conserve and protect Ontario's waters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following actions is prohibited by the Water Resources Act?

    <p>Constructing a new well without a permit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What requirement does the Environmental Protection Act impose on corporations regarding pollutants?

    <p>They must prevent pollutants from exceeding prescribed limits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What triggered the creation of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Ontario?

    <p>The inquiry into the Walkerton tragedy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required for municipal drinking water systems to operate under the Safe Drinking Water Act?

    <p>Approval from the Ministry of the Environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an objective of the Environmental Protection Act?

    <p>To prevent pollution and protect the environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Safe Drinking Water Act emphasize regarding drinking water testing?

    <p>Operators must be trained and certified to provincial standards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Environmental Protection Act places a duty on which of the following individuals?

    <p>Corporate officers and directors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of storm sewers in the newer parts of Hamilton?

    <p>To collect and carry stormwater to outdoor drains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do stormwater ponds function in relation to stormwater runoff?

    <p>They reduce the rate of stormwater runoff only</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of sewer system is commonly found in the older parts of Hamilton?

    <p>Combined sewer system only</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to stormwater during rain events in the newer parts of Hamilton?

    <p>It is temporarily stored in stormwater ponds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of combined sewer overflow tanks in Hamilton?

    <p>To manage overflow from both stormwater and sewage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of control is implemented at the lot level to promote stormwater infiltration?

    <p>Infiltration trenches</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a conveyance control for stormwater management?

    <p>Enhanced grassed swales</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of dry ponds in stormwater management?

    <p>They temporarily store stormwater runoff.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of stormwater control is designed to discharge water to receiving waters?

    <p>End-of-pipe control facilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue is commonly associated with stormwater ponds in terms of maintenance?

    <p>High cleaning costs lead to neglect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What benefit do wet ponds provide over dry ponds?

    <p>They maintain a permanent water pool.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do pervious pipe systems contribute to stormwater management?

    <p>They allow water to infiltrate surrounding soils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common problem associated with stormwater management ponds since their implementation in the 1980s?

    <p>They contribute to increases in water temperature and nutrient output.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Water Governance Legislation

    • Water Resources Act (Ontario, 1990): Governs water conservation, protection, and management in Ontario, encompassing both groundwater and surface water. Regulates sewage disposal, prohibits polluting discharges, regulates permits for water extraction, and oversees well construction and operation.
    • Environmental Protection Act (Federal, 1999): Focuses on pollution prevention and environmental protection for sustainable development. Prohibits contaminant discharges causing adverse effects, establishes discharge limits, mandates spill reporting and cleanup, and assigns liability to responsible parties.
    • Safe Drinking Water Act (Ontario, 2002): Ensures safe drinking water for Ontarians. Regulates drinking water systems, mandates operator training and certification, sets contaminant standards, and requires licensed laboratories for water testing.
    • Clean Water Act (Ontario, 2006): Protects existing and future drinking water sources. Emphasizes a multi-barrier approach, prioritizing source protection in various watersheds. Requires local committees to identify and address risks to drinking water sources.
    • Hamilton’s Sewer Use By-law 14-090: Regulates discharges into the City’s sewer system, setting limits for pollutants, prohibiting certain substances, specifying discharge requirements, and enabling monitoring and control of spills.

    Multi-Barrier Approach for Drinking Water in Ontario

    • Source Water Protection: Protects drinking water sources from contamination and depletion.
    • Water Treatment System: Removes harmful contaminants and organisms from the source water.
    • Inspection: Regular inspections of residential drinking water systems.
    • Testing: Trained operators test drinking water regularly.
    • Distribution: Maintaining disinfectant levels in the distribution system and conducting regular tests.

    Impacts of Urbanization on the Hydrological Cycle

    • Increased Runoff: Leads to more frequent and intense runoff events, reducing infiltration and soil moisture replenishment, impacting groundwater sources and stream base flow.
    • Altered Stream Response: Intensifies peak streamflows and quickens stream response to storms.
    • Changes in Stream Morphology: Includes increased channel cross-sectional area, downcutting, sediment loading, and changes in meandering patterns.
    • Changes in Aquatic Habitat and Ecology: Leads to stress on aquatic life due to hydrological, geomorphological, and water quality changes, resulting in increased algal organic matter, habitat degradation, declines in aquatic biodiversity, and loss of freshwater wetlands and spring ecosystems.

    Stormwater Management

    • Lot-Level Controls: Implement infiltration techniques like trenches and pits to manage rainwater at the property level.
    • Conveyance System Controls: Employ enhanced grassed swales and pervious pipe systems to temporarily store and infiltrate stormwater runoff.
    • End-of-Pipe Control Facilities: Utilize dry and wet ponds to receive stormwater runoff and release it at a controlled rate. Wet ponds also enhance water quality by allowing sediment and contaminants to settle before discharge.

    Issues with Stormwater Ponds

    • Neglect and Maintenance Costs: Lack of proper maintenance and high cleanup costs can hinder their effectiveness.
    • Water Quality Impacts: Can lead to rising water temperatures and nutrient releases.
    • Limited Volume Reduction: Do not significantly reduce stormwater volumes, unlike Low Impact Development (LID) techniques, putting increased pressure on streams.

    The Sewer System in Hamilton

    • Separated Sewer System: Found in newer parts of Hamilton, segregating sewage and stormwater. Sewage is directed to the wastewater treatment plant, while stormwater is released into the environment, often temporarily held in stormwater ponds.
    • Combined Sewers: Located in older parts of Hamilton, where wastewater and stormwater are collected in a single pipe. The combined flow is sent to the wastewater treatment plant. Large “combined sewer overflow tanks” are used to temporarily store excess diluted wastewater during heavy storms, preventing overflows into the environment.

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    ENVGEO362 Lecture 4 Fall 2024 PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores key water governance legislation including the Water Resources Act, Environmental Protection Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and Clean Water Act in Ontario. Understand the regulations surrounding water management, pollution prevention, and safe drinking water standards in Ontario. Test your knowledge on how these laws ensure sustainable water practices.

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