Still time to comment on drinking water changes
Safe Drinking Water Act: The Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is still accepting public comments on proposed changes to Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards, and Testing and Reporting Requirements for drinking water systems and municipal licences. The proposed chang…
View the post titled Still time to comment on drinking water changesProvince and Feds Sign Great Lakes Act again
The Ontario and federal governments have signed the latest (8th) version of the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (2014 COA). The purpose of this agreement is to implement Canada’s commitments to protect the Great Lakes made in partnership with the Un…
View the post titled Province and Feds Sign Great Lakes Act againWaterpower is not always green
I’ve supported renewable energy for more than 30 years, even before my years as legal counsel for the Ministry of Energy. And I’m a strong supporter of the Green Energy Act. But every type of energy generation has drawbacks, and none of them are suitable everywhere. Most solar, w…
View the post titled Waterpower is not always greenFine of $345,000 plus jail for hog manure
Eric and Yvonne Van Boekel, Van Boekel Hog Farms Inc. and Van Boekel Holdings Inc. were fined a total of $345,000 plus 25% victim fine surcharge, for repeated hog manure spills from two pig farms, that caused adverse effects to their neighbours and impaired water quality. Mr. Van Boekel was…
View the post titled Fine of $345,000 plus jail for hog manureHow much can municipalities regulate boat use?
Québec’s Court of Appeal has struck down part of a municipal by-law that impinged on the public right of navigation, an area where only the federal government has jurisdiction to make laws. As we noted in an earlier blog post, St.-Adolphe d’Howard’s by-law prevented non-residents from using …
View the post titled How much can municipalities regulate boat use?Municipality can require waterfront greening to protect water
The St. Charles Lake provides half the potable water used by Québec City. When nutrients from human activity began to create plagues of toxic bacteria, the City enacted a by-law requiring owners of lakefront property to put in 10-15 metre buffer zones comprised of trees, bushes and other pl…
View the post titled Municipality can require waterfront greening to protect waterNew Industrial Waste Surcharge Agreements – fair?
The City of Toronto is demanding that local industries sign a draconian new form of 2012 Waste Discharge Agreement, to come into force on January 1, 2012. Unfortunately, the proposed agreement could seriously prejudice any organization that signs it. For example, it gives the City the right …
View the post titled New Industrial Waste Surcharge Agreements – fair?Major changes proposed for shale gas fracking
Advisors to US Energy Secretary, Stephen Chu, have recommended major changes to improve regulation and environmental performance of shale gas fracturing (fracking) in the US. Public consultation is continuing, and the final report will be released in November. Canadian regulators should be …
View the post titled Major changes proposed for shale gas frackingDumping construction waste: $150,000 fine
Willy’s Roll-Off Ltd., 1092066 Ontario Inc., Willis and Susan McKeown and Percy Pyper Ltd. pled guilty in February to impairing water quality, establishing a waste disposal site without approval, and failing to transport waste only to an approved site. They were fined a total of $150,000 plu…
View the post titled Dumping construction waste: $150,000 fineDrinking water standards getting a little tighter
Health Canada has released its new Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, prepared by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water (CDW).[1] This replaces the existing 1996 edition. Bottom line: the numbers are a little stricter than 15 years ago.
View the post titled Drinking water standards getting a little tighterReceive Blog Posts
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