Approximately 1,000 people in Merrickville are supplied with drinking water provided by the municipality (Village of Merrickville-Wolford). There are three municipal wells constructed between 1960 and 1973. In 2012, the provincial government provided funding to the municipality to undertake a project to better protect the wells. This involved extending the well casings so that water is drawn exclusively from a deeper, less vulnerable aquifer.
Where does the water come from?
The municipal wells draw groundwater from the Nepean Sandstone Aquifer which is well-known for supplying a good volume of quality drinking water.
How is the water treated and distributed?
Each well pumps water to the main pump house where chlorine is added to disinfect the water. The treated water is then pumped into the distribution system of piping throughout the town to serve individual residences and businesses. The Merrickville drinking water system operators must adhere to the strict requirements for the treatment, testing and distribution of drinking water specified in the Safe Drinking Water Act. The water is consistently in compliance with Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards.
How is the drinking water source protected?
Ontario’s Clean Water Act was created specifically to protect drinking water at the source rather than simply relying on water treatment to deliver safe, clean water. Because of work completed under the Clean Water Act, Merrickville now has a mapped Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) that is protected through policies in the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan.