FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              October 28, 2026

Quinte West, ON – Lower Trent Conservation remains committed to supporting communities and protecting sources of drinking water as the Province proposes changes to Ontario’s drinking water source protection framework.

Source water protection helps prevent contamination and depletion of the lakes, rivers and groundwater that supply drinking water. It is an important part of protecting public health, alongside drinking water treatment, testing and distribution.

The Province’s October 22 proposals would align the Source Protection Program and framework with Ontario’s new regional conservation authority structure. For the Trent Conservation Coalition (TCC), the proposed changes would establish the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority (ELORCA) as the source protection authority responsible for supporting the Cataraqui, Trent Conservation Coalition and Quinte Source Protection Committees during the period before watershed councils are established.

The proposal would maintain existing source protection areas and source protection plans. The Province has indicated that its intention is to maintain existing drinking water safeguards and support uninterrupted program delivery. These changes remain proposed.

Source Protection Committees have played an important role in developing and maintaining local source protection plans by bringing together municipal, community and sector perspectives. Their work connects technical information about drinking water risks with the conditions, priorities and needs of individual communities.

A longer-term provincial proposal would see watershed councils fulfill the role of Source Protection Committees, with some committee functions and duties transferring to source protection authorities. Existing Source Protection Committees, including the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Committee, would remain in place until regional conservation authorities establish watershed councils. There are no immediate changes to the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Committee, and continued involvement from committee members remains important. The existing Committee continues to provide local knowledge, perspectives and advice that help protect municipal drinking water sources.

The details of how watershed councils will operate, including their membership, responsibilities and procedures, have not yet been finalized. The Province is seeking early input through a separate Environmental Registry of Ontario consultation on the development of a future regulation governing watershed councils.

Lower Trent Conservation recognizes the significant contribution that Source Protection Committee members, municipalities, source protection staff and community partners have made over many years. The local knowledge, relationships and experience developed through this work remain important to protecting drinking water sources across the region.

As the Province works through the details of the proposed framework, continued participation from those who understand the local watersheds and communities will be important in ensuring that local knowledge and perspectives remain part of the conversation.

Residents, municipalities and other interested parties are encouraged to review and comment on the Province’s proposed changes through the Environmental Registry of Ontario:

• Proposed Clean Water Act regulatory changes – ERO #026-1070
• Discussion questions regarding future watershed councils – ERO #026-1075

Both consultations are open for comment until December 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Lower Trent Conservation will continue to keep Source Protection Committee members, municipalities and partners informed as more information becomes available and decisions are confirmed.

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For more information, contact:

Rhonda Bateman                                                                   Corinne Ross
Chief Administrative Officer                                                 Communication, Education, Stewardship Lead
Lower Trent Conservation                                                     Lower Trent Conservation
[email protected] | (613-394-3915 ext. 212            [email protected] | (613-394-3915 ext. 216