take action

EDUCATION – PARTICIPATION – PROTECTION

We can work together to protect our sources of drinking water from depletion and contamination.

First, EDUCATION... Ask yourself: Who protects your drinking water? Where does your water come from? Why is protecting the source of your water necessary? Learn more about how water is used and may become contaminated, and what you can do to change your water footprint.

Second, PARTICIPATION... Attend meetings, talk to your local leaders and spread the word about your local source protection plan.

Third, PROTECTION... Implement the following strategies and others mentioned in Your Water Footprint to help ensure healthy drinking water and minimize the risk of contamination:

Buy only what you need; use it all up; and dispose of your household hazardous waste properly (see a list of sources to find out your closest depots and events)
Don't flush anything potentially hazardous – including medications, solvents, cleaners, poisons, motor oils, fertilizers, paints, etc... – down the sink, toilet or storm sewer.
Purchase and use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products.
Use fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides sparingly; follow application instructions; and don't apply before a rain or following heavy rains, as this increases the chance of runoff.
Plant and foster trees and bushes along streams, rivers and storm drainage that act as natural barriers and prevent erosion.
Bring all unused medications back to a pharmacy. Most pharmacies in Ontario have pharmaceutical take-back programs and dispose of unused medications properly.

How to dispose of Hazardous Waste for your Business

For the most part, businesses must dispose of hazardous waste through a private carrier and according to provincial regulations. See the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's Hazardous Waste Information Network; Regulation 347 of the Ontario Environmental Protection Act; and a list of other provincial resources for more information.

How to dispose of your Household Hazardous Waste

Products you buy and use everyday can be safe when the manufacturers' instructions are followed. However, when not disposed of properly, these same products can be harmful to people, animals and the environment. Household hazardous waste should never be poured down a sink or storm sewer because chemicals can potentially pollute our water or hurt wildlife.

Household hazardous waste should also never be placed in the garbage because materials could leak or mix with other chemicals and cause fires and explosions. It is much safer for people and the environment to properly dispose of chemicals, batteries, cleaners, paint and oil at a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off location.

For all locations in Ontario:

Go to Orange Drop Website for a comprehensive listing of how to dispose of hazardous waste in Ontario
Visit Take Back the Light for a listing of retailers and drop-off locations that take back compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for recycling.

Belleville and Deseronto:

Burlington; Halton Region:

Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Halton Waste Management Site – Halton residents can drop off limited quantities of household hazardous waste, free of charge at the Halton Waste Management Site. Each year the HHW Depot recycles or properly disposes over 900,000 litres of household hazardous waste. There is a 20 litre maximum per visit. No commercial hazardous waste or bio-medical waste can be accepted.
Take It Back! Halton – a directory of local businesses, non-profit organizations and municipal facilities that take back materials to be reused, recycled or disposed, such as household batteries.
Special Waste Drop-off Days – Halton Region holds free Special Waste Collection Drop-off Days throughout the Region to make the recycling and safe disposal of household hazardous waste and electronic waste more accessible.