As the population of our region continues to balloon, this is why the Blue Mountain Watershed Trust is committed to protection of streams and Wetlands, in our Watershed, in particular, the provincially significant Silver Creek Wetland.
Column by Ian Ockenden on CollingwoodToday – full article below
Have you ever wondered where the water we drink comes from? Most of the water we see in rivers and lakes isn’t used for drinking. Instead, in many places, including the Nottawasaga River watershed, the majority of our drinking water comes from an unseen source, deep underground, called groundwater.
This precious resource is the water that fills the tiny spaces between soil, sand, and rocks beneath the Earth’s surface. It plays a key role in the water cycle, the process by which water moves around the Earth.
Imagine the ground as a giant sponge. When it rains, the water soaks into the ground, filling the gaps between dirt and rocks. This stored water is called groundwater. In fact, as the water soaks through the soil and rock, many impurities are filtered out, making most groundwater cleaner than some surface water sources. When it rains, not all the water runs off into streams and rivers. Some of it travels into the ground and fills up spaces in porous rock and soil. This process is called recharge. Recharge happens slowly over time and fills up large underground reservoirs called aquifers. Aquifers act like giant, underground water tanks, storing water for long periods.
In places like the Nottawasaga River watershed, groundwater recharge doesn’t only come from rain. A lot of it also comes from melting snow. As the temperature rises, the water from the melting snow seeps into the ground, replenishing the aquifers. Without this important snowmelt, rivers and wells might dry up during the dry summer months.
Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for many people living in the Nottawasaga River watershed, especially those outside of Collingwood. In urban areas, municipalities use wells to pump groundwater to the surface, where it is treated and made safe to drink. In rural areas, many families have their own wells, depending on groundwater for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Groundwater is also essential for farming and industry. Many farms use groundwater to irrigate crops, while many industries depend on it for their operations. Nature also depends on groundwater. It helps keep streams, rivers, wetlands, and lakes full. Cold groundwater that seeps to the surface is the main source of water for many streams in the watershed.
In Ontario, the safety of drinking water is protected through a multi-barrier approach. The first barrier focuses on preventing contaminants from entering municipal drinking water systems. The second barrier involves making sure municipal water treatment systems are well-operated and that workers are properly trained. Municipal staff work hard to provide some of the safest drinking water possible.
In rural areas, the quality of groundwater can vary. People with private wells are encouraged to regularly check the quality of their water. Local health units can provide information and advice on how to keep well water safe.
How can we protect groundwater?
Since groundwater is hidden beneath our feet, we might not always think about it. However, just like rivers and lakes, it’s important to protect it. Here are some ways we can help protect groundwater:
- Avoid pollution: People should be careful with chemicals from fertilizers, pesticides, and household cleaners. These substances can seep into the ground and contaminate the water.
- Proper waste disposal: Factories and farms must follow strict rules for disposing of waste. When waste isn’t disposed of properly, it can end up contaminating the groundwater.
- Water conservation: Saving water in our daily lives helps ensure there’s enough to recharge groundwater naturally. Simple actions, like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, or fixing leaks, can make a big difference.
Groundwater is an invisible treasure that helps keep our communities healthy and our farms productive. By understanding how groundwater works and how to protect it, everyone can play a part in keeping this precious resource clean and safe for future generations.
Next time you take a sip of water, remember it might have travelled through the Earth for years before reaching your glass. Groundwater is nature’s unseen gift to us — one we must care for and protect.
Ian Ockenden is the manager of watershed science at the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.