Ontario Premier Announces Temporary Water Taking Moratorium

This article was originally published in May 2003

The Premier of Ontario announced new and proposed regulations on April 21, which will have a significant impact on industries whose activities require water from the ground or surface water bodies. Permits to take water are required under the Ontario Water Resources Act for ground or surface water takings of over 50,000 L/day.

One regulation will immediately impose a moratorium on water taking permits within the Niagara Escarpment Planning Area or the Oak Ridges Moraine for a period of six months.

A second proposed regulation will impose stricter rules around water taking permits issued after the moratorium is lifted.

The timing of this announcement coincides with the release of the final report of the Advisory Committee on Watershed-based Source Protection Planning. That report is likely the impetus behind the timing and content of the moratorium announcement.