Walkerton 25 Years Later
Walkerton 25 Years Later
Ontario Pipeline’s Fall Edition includes a reflection on the 25th anniversary of the Walkerton water tragedy. A recent trade show conference provided an opportunity for an expert panel to reflect on and discuss the lessons learned for this tragedy, and ways to move forward. The panel included voices from three key sectors: the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), Ministry of Health and the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC).
The discussion centered on the transformative changes from Justice O’Connor’s 121 recommendations to improve Ontario’s drinking water safety net. Highlights discussed include:
- Water protection at every stage – watershed to distribution
- The Clean Water Act (2006), mandatory Source Water Protection Plans
- The MECP as an oversight body which enforces compliance, issues public reports and guide system improvements
- Publications of important ministerial reports from Chief Drinking Water Inspector
- Improved operator training and technical support through WCWC
- Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) which is the cornerstone of any drinking water system
The panel also believes there has been a shift towards prevention, risk-based oversight, and inter-agency collaboration. Public health now plays a key role in protecting our drinking water systems. The article notes that there are still many challenges ahead, including aging infrastructure, limited technology, geographical isolation, and many others. Funding through the HEWSF and MHIP is a starting point, but funding will be an ongoing important necessity.
Finally, the article points out the challenges facing drinking water systems over the next 25 years and these include climate change, emerging contaminants, such as PFAS and microplastics, as well as flooding, digital transformation and workforce renewal, which includes recruitment challenges.
Please continue reading Walkerton 25 Years Later: Reflecting on Progress and Preparing for the Future.