Polygon features representing the geographical extent of a source area that contributes water to a drinking water system. A drinking water system is any domestic system with 2 or more connections, as defined in the Drinking Water Protection Act. Source Area is a broad term used to describe any area that could potentially contribute water to the drinking water system; it does not mean that hydrologic analyses have been completed to determine likelihood of connectivity. These source areas most often represent the entire aquifer extent (for ground water systems) or the watershed upstream from the intake (for surface water systems).

Polygon features showing various zones of protection around drinking water system intakes/wellheads. A drinking water system is any domestic system with 2 or more connections, as defined in the Drinking Water Protection Act. Zone of protection is a broad term that represents a wide variety of areas as they have been delineated in their corresponding report. The methods and processes used to delineate these zones vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, population, vulnerability, hydrologic/hydrogeologic parameters, etc. For the use of this dataset, the term Protection Zone means that protection measures should be considered and/or implemented in these areas due to the importance of these areas supplying drinking water to their water system users. Protection Zone does not mean that protection measures have been implemented in these areas, nor that protection measures are not required beyond the boundary of these areas.

Point features showing the location of intakes and/or wellheads for drinking water systems. A drinking water system is any domestic system with 2 or more connections, as defined in the Drinking Water Protection Act. These locations are updated as more information is received and is therefore continually being updated and may or may not match the corresponding Point of Diversion locations available through the Water Rights dataset and application.