First Nation Protects Water

The Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Band Council passed a resolution in 2010 to add protection to its intake in Lake Huron through the Drinking Water Source Protection Program of the Ontario Clean Water Act, 2006.

The Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley and the Thames-Sydenham and Region Drinking Water Source Protection Committees have worked cooperatively with the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, and consultants since that time to begin intake protection zone mapping around the intake.

Staff members of the two source protection regions have also worked in partnership with the First Nation to engage the community in practical actions to protect drinking water through the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODSWP).

This on-the-ground stewardship effort was very successful, according to the source protection authorities. There were 33 projects approved for funding within and near the First Nation. Most of those projects were new septic systems that reduced the potential for contamination of the surface water source. The ODWSP program approved total grants there worth $116,400.

“We are honoured to work with the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, and the people who have been making stewardship improvements, to reduce the risk of contamination to the surface water source of their drinking water,” said Laurence Brown, Chair of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee.

“This is a significant step in reducing risk to the drinking water for the people of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation,” said Robert Bedggood, Chair of the Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Committee.