How You Can Help

Interested in Getting Involved in Protecting Our Drinking Water?

We are looking for applicants for the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe (SGBLS) Source Protection Committee

Under Ontario Regulation 288/07, Clean Water Act, 2006 

The South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe (SGBLS) Source Protection Region, in accordance with the provisions of Ontario Regulation 288/07, is currently seeking public and economic sector representatives to serve on the SGBLS Source Protection Committee.

The Source Protection Plan provides policies and actions to mitigate potential threats to the source of municipal drinking water. The Source Protection Committee has been in place since 2007 and published the original source protection plan in 2015. The Source Protection Committee is now responsible for evaluating the implementation of the Source Protection Plan policies, and conducting periodic updates to ensure the plan is leading to the protection of sources of municipal drinking water.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking to fill three vacancies on the Source Protection Committee, representing economic or public interests. These positions are of interest to people who have a passion for drinking water, public policy, environmental and/or local community health. In the economic sector, we are looking for individuals representing agriculture, commerce, industry, winter maintenance, tourism, recreation, or other relevant industries.

Summary of Committee Member Obligations and Requirements:

• Make a five-year commitment to participate;

• Attend committee meetings (two to three meetings per year);

• Attend training and orientation sessions as required;

• Must reside, own property, rent property, be employed in, or operate a business within the boundaries of the SGBLS Source Protection Region;

• Cannot be a current Source Protection Authority Board or staff member;

• Respect confidential information and abide by the process in place to safeguard confidential information;

• Comply with the committee’s code of conduct;

• Act as liaison by bringing forward common concerns from knowledge and experience of respective sector to the committee;

• Provide input and make decisions at the committee table;

• Understand source protection science concepts and technical reports; Review reports/documents as required.

More information about the Source Protection program and obligations of committee members is available on our website at: https://www.ourwatershed.ca

How to Apply for Appointment to the Committee

Click this link to fill in the application form: https://lsrca.formstack.com/forms/sgbls_spc_application 

Applications and supporting materials can be submitted to the address below.
Deadline is October 2, 2026

A selection committee will review all applications and make recommendations to the lead Source Protection Authority to endorse the preferred applicants. The selection committee may require applicants to participate in an interview.

Questions or Comments? 

Contact: Bill Thompson, Manager, Watershed Plans and Strategies

120 Bayview Parkway, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 3W3

Tel: 905-895-1281 ext. 271

E-mail: b.thompson@lsrca.on.ca

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Practice water conservation – Half our water use is in the bathroom. Fix that leaky tap. Install a low flow shower head or dual flush toilet. In summer, half our water is wasted outside. Get a rain barrel to collect water for your gardens. Sweep your driveway it with a broom instead of using a hose. Wash your car on the grass instead of the driveway (but not on your septic or leaching bed!).

Maintain your well – Unmaintained, old or unused wells on your property can become a direct pathway for pollution to contaminate groundwater. Contact a licensed well contractor and have your well inspected and maintained. Have unused wells properly decommissioned.

Maintain your septic system – Have it pumped regularly. A failing septic system can contaminate sources of drinking water and cause serious environmental and health problems. Regular, proper maintenance is money well spent and reduces the likelihood of a costly system replacement.

If you heat your home with oil or other fuels – Consider replacing your fuel tank with a double walled or double bottomed tank and installing a drip tray alarm (on indoor tanks). This will help to protect your property and drinking water sources.

In the yard – Take care when handling fuel and other hazardous liquids. Even small amounts of spilled or leaked fuel can contaminate many thousands of litres of groundwater. Plant native plants that require less watering once established. Bonus… they provide food and habitat for local wildlife like bees, butterflies and birds.

In the garage/basement – Be careful and alert when handling, storing or using chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers. Spills of these substances can make our water supplies unsafe for human or animal consumption.

Dispose of your hazardous substances properly – Participate in your municipality’s Household Hazardous Waste program. These programs make sure that substances are disposed of properly and don’t end up contaminating our water supplies.

If you have a shoreline – Keep it natural. Maintain natural vegetation along the shoreline to reduce run-off of pollutants into the water. Vegetation along the shoreline also discourages Canada geese from taking residence on your property.