Pesticide management

Protecting the source of our municipal drinking water is the crucial first step in ensuring clean, safe, and sustainable water for our community.

Brantford's Source Protection Plan includes policies that regulate and manage activities that may harm raw water quality in the Grand River, such as the handling, storage, and application of pesticides. 

Visit the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks' Source Protection Information Atlas to find out whether your property is located within the Intake Protection Zone.  (Please note that the default mapping display does not include Intake Protection Zone 3 (IPZ-3). To display all Intake Protection Zone mapping, please Select Map Legend, select the Water Quality Layers, and click on the Intake Protection Zone 3.)

Pesticides 

Pesticides are commonly used to get rid of unwanted insects and plants in many places such as lawns, landscapes, playing fields, parks, home yards, schoolyards, gardens, and farms. They are also sprayed over communities to control specific insects.

Insecticides, weed killers, and fungicides can get into our drinking water when they are sprayed on plants or when it rains.

Best practices for applying pesticides:

  • Before using pesticides, check the weather. The most significant impact of surface runoff occurs when it rains within 24 hours of applying pesticides. Runoff water can carry soil particles with pesticides from treated areas into nearby waterways.
  • Avoid purchasing chemicals, pesticides, or fuel in large quantities; only buy what you need. This will reduce storage time and minimize the risk of spills and leaks. Remember to dispose of containers and any leftover or unwanted chemicals properly. In case of outdoor spills, please notify the City of Brantford at 519-759-4150.
  • Store chemicals, fuel, waste, pesticides, and road salt indoors in a secure location, not outside. Always handle and store them with care.

  • Never put hazardous wastes in regular garbage, down a drain or toilet, on the ground, or in a storm sewer. This can contaminate our drinking water source. The City of Brantford has free events for safe disposal of residential hazardous waste. Find out when the next event is scheduled at Brantford.ca/HHW.

If you have a pesticide purchased before 2009, it may contain prohibited chemicals. For more information on allowed pesticides, please reference the Using Pesticides in Ontario guide.

We can all do our part to keep chemicals like pesticides out of our drinking water sources.  

For more information, please email SourceProtection@brantford.ca or call  519-759-4150, Ext. 5822.