Water Well Improvement Program

SVCA and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) have partnered to offer a Water Well Improvement Program (WWIP) that will financially support landowners in their efforts to protect groundwater within the Saugeen Valley jurisdiction.

Water Well Improvement

Managed and delivered by SVCA, the WWIP will provide some funding to properly decommission and upgrade water wells, which can be a direct conduit of contaminants to groundwater.

An old, unused, or improperly maintained well can be a direct path for contaminants to reach our sources of drinking water. If you have a well on your property, make sure that it is well maintained to protect our groundwater from contamination.

Program information

Decommissioning or upgrading of wells will reduce the risk of contamination to local aquifers, surface water sources and drinking water sources.
Damaged or poorly maintained drinking water wells must be maintained to prevent groundwater contamination, as they can be a threat to personal and public health.
All work on a well needs to follow R.R.O 1990, Regulation 903: WELLS of the Ontario Water Resources Act to plug and seal the well.
A licensed well contractor must complete the work.

Cost share details

Well Decommissioning:

To prevent groundwater contamination through improperly abandoned or unused wells by encouraging the proper plugging of wells that are dry or no longer used:

Tier 1 - Outside a Municipal drinking water well head protection area

Approved projects will be funded at 100% up to a maximum of $1,000 per well.

Tier 2 - Within a Municipal drinking water well head protection area

Approved projects will be funded at 100% up to a maximum of $2,000 per well.

Wellhead protection and upgrading

To reduce the risk of contamination of water well by implementing proper construction and maintenance practices and safeguards for existing wells.

Tier 1 - Outside a Municipal drinking water well head protection area

Approved projects funded at 80% up to a maximum of $750 per well.

Tier 2 - Within a Municipal drinking water well head protection area

Approved projects funded at 80% up to a maximum of $1,500 per well.

How to apply to the SVCA Water Well Improvement Program

Contact a Conservation Specialist for assistance.

Check to see if you are in the Saugeen Conservation's watershed!

For more about the Municipal Drinking Water Wellhead Protection in your area visit Source Water Protection Portal for mapping and well record information.