Cataraqui Source Protection Area: Municipal Staff Training Sessions
Before the Cataraqui Source Protection Plan became effective on April 1, 2015, municipal staff across the Cataraqui Source Protection Area participated in implementation workshops and were presented with educational resources tailored to their specific implementation needs. CRCA staff have put together two types of training videos directed towards municipal staff who will be responsible for implementing policies in the Plan:
Source Protection 101
Source Protection 101 is a guide to drinking water source protection. Click on the image to watch the video on our YouTube channel.

Part IV Workshop‐in‐a‐Box
Train municipal staff in Risk Management Office support. Click on your municipality to watch the video on our YouTube channel:
DWSP Municipal Working Group Meeting (March 29, 2019)
CRCA staff hosted an annual workshop on behalf of the Cataraqui Source Protection Committee for local implementers of the Cataraqui Source Protection Plan. The intent was to showcase local achievements, review updated annual reporting, discuss on-going challenges and share information about the future of source water protection. Guest speakers from Lower Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region and Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region presented on spills and emergency response is relation to source protection, ongoing efforts to address DNAPL threats and transport pathways, and provided updates from the adjacent regions on the overall source protection program. The agenda and presentations are available below:
Shoreline Development Forum (March 29, 2019)
CRCA staff hosted a forum for municipal planning staff to discuss the importance of biodiversity and shoreline environments within the Cataraqui Source Protection Area and ongoing projects to better inform municipal staff on issues pertaining to setbacks from natural hazards, natural heritage, water quality, and the challenges of developing along differing shorelines. The agenda and presentations from the event are available below.
Proper Care and Use of Well and Septic Systems Workshops (April 17, 2018)
CRCA staff partnered with local community groups, CRCA Board members, and volunteers to host two private well and septic system workshops in January and April 2018. The workshops highlighted the importance of groundwater as a limited and vulnerable resource due to a high water table, thin soils, and highly fractured bedrock environments in the Cataraqui area.
Speakers touched on important topics such as groundwater water quality and vulnerability in eastern Ontario, proper use and maintenance of private well and septic systems for rural property owners, and best management practices.
As part of the workshop, a free property self-assessment booklet was developed in partner with the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority as an educational resource for: (1) determining risks to drinking water and vulnerable groundwater on a property-specific scale, (2) outlining best practices for the operation and maintenance of well and septic systems, (3) specifying contact information and additional material for reference, and (4) providing well and septic system tracking sheets and a space to keep important records all in one place.
Presentations from our partners, as well as the Groundwater Protection Workbook can be found below:
Groundwater Vulnerability Forum (March 27, 2017)
CRCA staff hosted a workshop on behalf of the Cataraqui Source Protection Committee for individuals and organizations interested in protecting groundwater in the Cataraqui Source Protection Area. The intent was to bring researchers, municipal advisors and decision-makers together to discuss groundwater in the highly vulnerable setting we have in the Cataraqui Source Protection Area. The agenda, handout, proceedings, and presentations are available here:
Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment Guideline (CRCA)
Source Protection Workshop (March 27, 2017)
CRCA staff hosted a workshop on behalf of the Cataraqui Source Protection Committee for local implementers of the Cataraqui Source Protection Plan. The intent was to showcase local achievements, review updated annual reporting, discuss on-going challenges and share information about the future of source water protection. The agenda, presentations, and workshop handouts are available here:
Source Protection Workshop (March 31, 2015)
CRCA staff hosted a workshop with staff from local municipalities and health units, as well as provincial representatives. The workshop was well attended, and we heard from participants that they felt well prepared for implementing the Cataraqui Source Protection Plan. There was interest to continue collaborating on a number of fronts including land use planning, road salt management, and an implementation reporting framework. The agenda, presentations, and workshop handouts are available here: