How is water taking for bottled water regulated in Ontario?
In Ontario companies must apply to the Ministry of the Environment for approval to take water if they are withdrawing more than 50,000 litres of water a day from a surface or groundwater source under the Ministry’s Permit to Take Water program. This is required under Section 34 of the Ontario Water Resources Act . It is further elaborated in the Ministry’s Water Taking and Transfer Regulation (O. Reg. 285/99). Before a permit is approved, the Ministry posts the information on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry for public comment. Many small bottled water companies in Ontario take less than 50,000 litres per day and are not required to get Ministry of Environment approval. For more information on water taking, see the Water Taking FAQs.
