Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation (WWPR)

The Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation (WWPR), which came into force on August 14, 2014, provided stronger protection for drinking water sources. It was amended by the December 31, 2020, Regulation Amending the Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation (Regulation amending the WWPR). The principal updates relate to amendments to match the Regulation respecting the regulatory scheme applying to activities on the basis of their environmental impact (French).

To clarify understanding of the Regulation

• Official text
• Overview of the main WWPR obligations (French)
• Frequently asked questions (French)
• Implementation of the Regulation:
  • Chapter VI of the Guide - Protection granted to water withdrawals meant for human consumption and/or food transformation (French, PDF, 1.1 MB)
  • Clarification on the concept of “construction” used in Chapter VI of the WWPR (French, PDF, 38 KB)
  • DRASTIC guide for determining groundwater withdrawal protection cushions and vulnerability indices (French)
  • Vulnerability analysis manual for drinking water supply sources
  • Technical guidelines for the withdrawal of water that is subject to municipal authorization (French,PDF, 6.3 MB)
    • Note on the municipal implementation provisions of the Regulation amending the WWPR that came into force on December 31, 2020 (French, PDF, 478 KB)
  • Guidelines for the evaluation of the principles of abatement and compensation of agricultural activities relating to water withdrawal facilities (French, PDF, 1.7 MB)
  • Drilling report form (French)

Assessment of the Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation standards

• 2017 and 2018 assessment

Program

• Increased drinking water source protection program (French)
• Program for the development of drinking water source protection plans (French)

If you have questions about the Regulation, please contact the regional office of the Ministère in your area.