THUNDER BAY – “Reaching this milestone was made possible by the hard work and dedication from several local community groups, agencies and the public. As a result, we believe the Lakehead Source Protection Plan will help ensure drinking water sources for Rosslyn Village and the City of Thunder Bay will be protected for citizens today and in the future,” stated Bob Hartley, the Chair, Lakehead Source Protection Committee. The Lakehead Source Protection Committee is the first of 37 source protection areas to deliver a plan to protect local drinking water sources.
Developed collaboratively by local communities, the Lakehead source protection plan focuses on protecting the municipal drinking water sources for Thunder Bay and Rosslyn Village. Protecting drinking water sources and the proposed Great Lakes Protection Act are part of the Ontario government’s plan to protect and restore the Great Lakes.
“I greatly appreciate the Lakehead Source Protection Committee’s hard work and leadership in planning to protect local drinking water sources. Our Great Lakes are at the centre of our economy and quality of life. Source protection planning is one example of actions that Great Lakes communities are taking to ensure the lakes stay drinkable, swimmable, and fishable,” commented Jim Bradley, the Minister of the Environment.
“I hope the Lakehead Source Protection Committee’s efforts to protect drinking water sources provides a model that communities throughout the province will follow. This is a great example of how communities in Northwestern Ontario are demonstrating leadership. I want to congratulate the community groups, agencies and the public for their initiative and hard work,” stated Bill Mauro MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
“Ensuring that residents have access to clean sources of drinking water is vital to our quality of life. I thank the Lakehead Source Protection Committee for their hard work in protecting our drinking water here in Thunder Bay,” added Michael Gravelle MPP for Thunder Bay – Superior North, and Minister of Natural Resources.
QUICK FACTS
• Lake Superior provides drinking water for over 100,000 people in the Thunder Bay area. Two groundwater wells serve 30 homes in Rosslyn Village.
• When completed, local watershed-based source protection plans will protect more than 450 municipal drinking water sources.