Thames-Sydenham Source Protection Region

04/29/2026

🏡 Spring cleaning for rural homes looks a little different…

If you have a private well or septic system:

✔️ Inspect for leaks or damage

✔️ Pump out septic tanks as needed

✔️ Keep chemicals out of drains

✔️ Test your Drinking Water

What goes into your system can come back into your water. Test your drinking water today by going to: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Laboratory-Services/Well-Water-Testing

Protect your well. Protect your health 💧

What you need to know about the analyses performed on samples collected from private drinking water systems.

04/22/2026

🌿 Cleaning up your yard this spring?

What you do outside matters just as much as inside.

✔️ Sweep up leftover salt and debris

✔️ Use fertilizers sparingly

✔️ Keep compost piles away from water flow areas

Spring rain can carry anything on the ground straight into our water sources.

A little care now goes a long way 🌎💧

04/15/2026

🧼 Spring cleaning? Don’t forget about your water.

As you clean out your garage, basement, or shed this season, take a second look at what you’re storing:

🛢️ Old fuel

🧴 Chemicals & cleaners

🌱 Fertilizers & pesticides

If not stored or disposed of properly, these can end up in our drinking water—especially during spring rains.

✔️ Store safely

✔️ Don’t pour down drains

✔️ Take hazardous waste to proper drop-off sites

Find your closest hazardous waste drop off site here:

Learn how to make better disposal decisions, find your local waste and recycling info, and see your pick-up calendar. All at your fingertips.

04/08/2026

💧Do you know where your drinking water comes from?

Rivers? Lakes? Underground aquifers? 🌊

No matter the source, it all needs protection!

Take a moment today to learn about your local drinking water source: https://www.protectingourwater.ca/

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Township of Perth East, Town of Plympton-Wyoming, St. Clair Township, Village of Point Edward, Municipality of Lambton Shores, City of Sarnia, Town of St. Marys, City of Stratford and the Municipality of West Perth rely on muni...

03/18/2026

More road salt does not mean more ice melting. Spread salt sparingly and evenly for the best results. https://arcg.is/1LbanC1

03/11/2026

Proper road salt storage and application are key this winter. These simple steps help protect our :

✔Spread salt sparingly and evenly

✔Clean up any salt spills

✔Keep salt storage lids closed to prevent runoff

03/04/2026

DYK - Rock salt works best between 0°C and -10°C? When temperatures are too cold for salt to be effective, there are alternatives you can use to create traction to avoid slipping on icy surfaces. https://bit.ly/3F5V4ED

02/25/2026

DYK - On average you only need to apply 1 tbsp of road salt for 1m2 of paved surface? In fact, 1 kg of salt will melt 46 kg of ice, so apply sparingly! https://arcg.is/1LbanC1

02/18/2026

and help protect our drinking water sources this winter with these simple snow storage tips:

✔Store snow away from wells, rivers, and storm drains

✔Remove trash and debris before snow melts to avoid pollutants from entering waterways

✔Direct snowmelt away from sidewalks and streets

✔Clear snow promptly while it's easier to move

✔Store snow downhill from salt to prevent contamination

https://bit.ly/4h5USFr

02/11/2026

Do you live in a drinking water protection zone? Taking action to can help protect municipal drinking water sources. https://arcg.is/1LbanC1

02/04/2026

Road salt can cause skin irritation to dogs when it gets on their paws. Keep the neighborhood pups healthy and happy by making sure to and sparingly.