Skip to main content Skip to footer

Vulnerable Areas

The Clean Water Act, 2006, identifies four types of areas as needing protection. These are called vulnerable areas and are based on technical studies completed by scientists. A description of each type of vulnerable area is provided below.

A wellhead is the part of the well that is above ground. A WHPA is the area around a wellhead that contributes to a municipal drinking water source.

Water can carry contaminants as it infiltrates the ground and flows down to an aquifer. Aquifers are areas where groundwater water fills cracks in bedrock or spaces between grains of sand, gravel, or dirt. Human activity in a WHPA can impact the quality and/or quantity of groundwater in an aquifer.

Scientists study how and where water moves through the ground. They also use models to calculate vulnerability scores in WHPAs. These scores represent the risk of an activity posing a threat to a drinking water source. Factors include the type of aquifer, soil type, topography (the rise and fall of the land) and pumping rates. WHPAs closest to a well typically have a higher vulnerability score. This is because there is less time for contaminants to break down before they reach the well.

Source protection plan policies manage drinking water threats in WHPAs.

Types of WHPAs

  • WHPA-A: 100-metre radius around the wellhead
  • WHPA-B: 2-year travel time for groundwater (and potential contaminants) to reach the well
  • WHPA-C: 5-year travel time for groundwater (and potential contaminants) to reach the well
  • WHPA-D: 25-year travel time for groundwater (and potential contaminants) to reach the well
  • WHPA-E: 2-hour travel time from surface to aquifer.

An IPZ is an area around a surface water intake pipe that contributes to a drinking water source.

Surface water can carry contaminants to an intake pipe. Human activity in an IPZ can impact the quality and/or quantity of water flowing to an intake pipe.

Scientists study how and where surface water flows on the surface of the ground. They also use models to calculate vulnerability scores in WHPAs. These scores represent the risk of an activity posing a threat to a drinking water source. Factors include the type and size of a watercourse size and depth and size of the intake pipe. IPZs closest to an intake pipe typically have a higher vulnerability score. This is because there is less time water treatment plan operators to take action to preventative action.

Source protection plan policies manage drinking water threats in IPZs.

Types of IPZs

  • IPZ-1: immediate area around an intake pipe and 1km upstream
  • IPZ-2: area upstream of IPZ-1 from which water can flow to the intake pipe in two hours or less.
  • IPZ-3: all areas that contribute surface water to the IPZ-2.

SGRAs are areas known to replenish an aquifer. They include sand and gravel deposits. Municipalities should consider SGRAs when making decision on planner matters. They may request more information or studies to ensure a drinking water source is not put at risk.

HVAs are areas which make an aquifer susceptible to contamination. This includes fractured bedrock or sand and gravel deposits. Municipalities should consider HVAs when making decision on planner matters. They may request more information or studies to ensures proposed development does not put a drinking water source at risk.

Vulnerable Areas in the Otonabee-Peterborough Source Protection Area

The vulnerable areas in the Otonabee-Peterborough Source Protection Area where drinking water threats may occur and Trent Source Protection Plan policies apply are listed below. These include Wellhead Protection Areas and Intake Protection Zones.

There are 10 WHPAs in the Otonabee-Peterborough Source Protection Area. These WHPAs are for municipal residential drinking water systems. The table below lists these systems and the municipality(ies) they are located in.

Drinking Water System Location
Alpine Village/Pirates Glen

Municipality of Trent Lakes

Birch Point City of Kawartha Lakes
Buckhorn Lake Estates

Municipality of Trent Lakes

Crystal Springs Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
Havelock Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen
Keene Heights Subdivision Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan
Lansdowne (planned well system site) Township of Cavan Monaghan
Millbrook Township of Cavan Monaghan
Norwood Township of Asphodel-Norwood, Township of Douro-Dummer
Pinewood City of Kawartha Lakes

There are 3 IPZs in the Otonabee-Peterborough Source Protection Area. These IPZs are for municipal residential drinking water systems. The table below lists these systems and the municipality(ies) they are located in.

Drinking Water System Location
Hastings

Municipality of Trent Hills

Lakefield Township of Selwyn
Peterborough

City of Peterborough, Township of Douro-Dummer, Township of Selwyn

Additional information and maps for vulnerable areas in the Otonabee-Peterborough Source Protection Area where threats to municipal residential drinking water sources may occur is provided below.

Subscribe to our News

Stay up to date on Otonabee Conservation's activities, events, programs and operations by subscribing to our News.

This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.