In response to the [https://environmentaldefence.ca/2020/06/01/walkerton-tragedy-ontario-new-water-crisis/ Walkerton tragedy] in May of 2000, where 2,500 residents of the town fell ill due to ingesting high levels of E.coli bacteria and 7 individuals died due to poor monitoring and maintenance of the drinking water system, the Province of Ontario enacted new rules and safeguards to ensure drinking water sources are adequately protected. Following an inquiry into the Walkerton tragedy, Justice O'Connor made over 120 recommendations to better protect the province's drinking water, which have formed the foundation of the province's source water protection framework. The first of the [http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/e_records/walkerton/index.html Walkerton Inquiry] recommendations was that drinking water should be protected by developing watershed-based source water protection plans. | In response to the [https://environmentaldefence.ca/2020/06/01/walkerton-tragedy-ontario-new-water-crisis/ Walkerton tragedy] in May of 2000, where 2,500 residents of the town fell ill due to ingesting high levels of E.coli bacteria and 7 individuals died due to poor monitoring and maintenance of the drinking water system, the Province of Ontario enacted new rules and safeguards to ensure drinking water sources are adequately protected. Following an inquiry into the Walkerton tragedy, Justice O'Connor made over 120 recommendations to better protect the province's drinking water, which have formed the foundation of the province's source water protection framework. The first of the [http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/e_records/walkerton/index.html Walkerton Inquiry] recommendations was that drinking water should be protected by developing watershed-based source water protection plans. |