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Domestic, Industrial and Municipal Water Uses

"Current regulations require that new facilities be installed at depths which make them unaffected by fluctuation of water levels in the system"

How do water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River relate to Domestic, Industrial and Municipal Water Use Interests?

Why was the Domestic, Industrial and Municipal Water Uses Technical Working Group (TWG) created?

What are the Group’s goals for the Study?

How will the Group achieve these goals?

What are the Group’s Year Two and Three Activities?

How do water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River relate to Domestic, Industrial and Municipal Water Use Interests?

1. Low water levels cause problems for municipal, industrial and domestic water intakes. They can also eliminate water withdrawals from shore wells.
2. High water levels cause problems at combined storm/ sanitary sewer intakes increasing treatment plant costs. In some cases, treatment plants can be flooded.

Why was the Domestic, Industrial and Municipal Water Uses Technical Working Group (TWG) created?

The International Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 lists domestic and sanitary water uses as a high priority regarding disputes between the two countries since it is vital to maintaining good public health.

What are the Group’s goals for the Study?

1. Determine the possible response of municipal, industrial and domestic water intakes on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to changes in water levels and flows that may occur as a result of changes to the operation of the existing control structures on Lake Ontario at Cornwall.
2. Determine the possible response of shore wells on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to changes in water levels and flows that may occur as a result of changes to the operation of the existing control structures on Lake Ontario at Cornwall.
3. Using the above evaluations, provide recommendations of new regulation criteria that best considers the needs of the water uses group.

How will the Group achieve these goals?

1. Inventory all municipal, industrial and domestic water intakes. As part of the development of the inventory, operators of the facilities will be interviewed so that problems related to water levels and flows can be determined.
2. Interviews with shorewell owners along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to determine at what water levels and flows problems occur.

What are the Group’s Year Two and Three Activities?

The group has completed its inventory of municipal water intakes and has found that the vast majority are located deep enough so that no problems will occur with any water levels and flows that will be tested. In years two and three, the group will gather information regarding industrial and domestic water users including shore wells to determine impacts. This information in conjunction with the other study technical work group input will be the basis for developing recommendations for Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River regulation plans through the Shared Vision Model.