Source Water
Municipal drinking water comes from lakes, rivers and underground aquifers. Source Water Protection helps protect these water sources from activities that could affect their quality or quantity. Learn where Kawartha Lakes' drinking water comes from, how vulnerable water sources are protected, and when source water protection requirements may affect your property.
Where does my drinking water come from?
Kawartha Lakes has 21 municipal drinking water systems. Six use surface water and 15 use groundwater.
Surface water systems:
- Bobcaygeon
- Fenelon Falls
- Kinmount
- Lindsay
- Norland
- Southview Estates
Groundwater systems:
- Birch Point
- Canadiana Shores
- Janetville
- King's Bay
- Manorview
- Mariposa Estates
- Omemee
- Pinewood
- Pleasant Point
- Sonya
- Victoria Place
- Western Trent/Palmina
- Woodfield
- Woods of Manilla
- Woodville
Source Water Protection Program
Ontario's Clean Water Act established the Drinking Water Source Protection Program in 2006. Source Protection Plans identify areas where drinking water sources are more vulnerable and set policies to protect them.
Kawartha Lakes has 21 municipal drinking water systems:
- 6 surface water systems supplied by lakes and rivers
- 15 groundwater systems supplied by wells and aquifers
Vulnerable areas around these systems are called Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPAs) and Intake Protection Zones (IPZs).
Does Source Water Protection affect my property?
If your property is within a vulnerable area, certain activities may require additional review, permits or approvals.
If you live near a lake, watercourse or wetland, contact Kawartha Conservation to find out if you need a permit before:
- Building or altering a structure
- Adding or removing soil, sand or gravel
- Changing a watercourse
- Altering your shoreline
- Working in or near a wetland
Check the Source Water Protection interactive map to see if your property is in a vulnerable area.
If you have questions about your septic system, visit the Building, Septic and Renovations page.
Source Protection Notices
Some construction projects within a Wellhead Protection Area or Intake Protection Zone require a Source Protection Notice (Section 59 Notice).
The notice process determines whether a proposed activity could pose a threat to a municipal drinking water source.
The following projects do not require a Source Protection Notice:
- Decks
- Gazebos
- Pools
- Interior renovations
- Septic systems completed with a City permit
Learn more about Source Protection Notices on the Kawartha Conservation website.
How you can help protect our water supply
Everyone can help protect our water supply by using water wisely, especially during hot and dry weather.
Simple ways to conserve water include:
- Fix leaks
- Take shorter showers
- Turn off the tap when you're not using it
- Limit lawn watering and car washing
- Run dishwashers only when full
- Use rain barrels for gardening
- Use hauled water to fill pools
Source water protection resources
Questions? Contact Us
Email: inquiries@kawarthalakes.ca
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337
