Protecting Drinking Water in the Summer: Source Water Tips for the Summer!��

As summer temperatures rise, so does our water usage — from watering gardens and lawns to splashing in backyard pools. While enjoying all that the season offers, it is important to remember that our actions can directly impact the safety and quality of our drinking water. The hot weather can increase the risk of contamination, especially near lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers that supply our drinking water.��

Here are a few simple but impactful tips to help protect drinking water sources during the summer months.

1. Be Smart About Lawn Care

A green lawn shouldn't come at the cost of clean water. Over-applying fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides can lead to them running off during summer rains and entering nearby waterways or soaking into the ground, potentially contaminating local wells or municipal water sources.��

Tips:��

• Use natural or slow-release fertilizers.��
• Avoid applying lawn chemicals before heavy rain is expected.��
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn to naturally fertilize.��
• Choose native plants and grasses that require less water and fewer chemicals.��

2. Store Chemicals Safely

From garage cleaners to pool chemicals, many of us keep potentially harmful substances around the home — especially in the summer. Improper storage can lead to spills and leaks seeping into the ground and reaching water supplies.

Tips:��

• Store fuels, oils, and solvents in labeled, sealed containers away from floor drains and out of direct sunlight.��
• Keep chemicals off concrete or unprotected soil where they can easily leach into the ground.��
• Dispose of old or unused chemicals at your local hazardous waste collection centre — never pour them down the drain or on the ground.��

3. Keep Cottage Septic Systems Healthy

If you're heading to the cottage, your septic system needs some attention. Septic systems that are failing or poorly maintained can leak bacteria, viruses, and nutrients into nearby lakes, rivers, and groundwater.��

Tips:��

• Have your septic tank pumped every 3–5 years (or more often depending on use).��
• Keep trees and heavy vehicles off your septic bed.��

4. Handle Boat Fuel With Care

Summer boating is a Canadian favourite, but improper fuel handling can have serious consequences for our water.��

Tips:��

• Refuel boats away from the water when possible, or use spill pads and drip trays when refuelling on the water.��
• Don't top off the tank — leave room for fuel expansion.��
• Regularly inspect fuel lines and tanks for leaks.��
• Keep a spill kit on board.��

Our drinking water sources, whether lakes, rivers, or aquifers, are vulnerable to contamination from daily activities. By being mindful of how we care for our homes, lawns, and recreational spaces during the summer, we can all help ensure our water stays clean and safe now and for generations to come.��

For more information about how to protect drinking water sources, please visit the .

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From Myth to Moth: The Fascinating Polyphemus

Upon arriving at work in early July, many ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) employees were delighted to see a beautiful Polyphemus moth (Antheraea Polyphemus) by the entrance to the Watershed Conservation Centre. This moth belongs to a group called Saturniidae, known as giant silk moths. It is one of the largest moths in North America, with a wingspan of about 15 centimetres (six inches). The most unique markings on the tan to reddish-brown wings are the two prominent purple and yellow eyespots. This design gave the moth its name, Polyphemus, who was the one-eyed cyclops mentioned in ancient Greek mythology. The large eyespots serve as a defense mechanism to startle, confuse, or simply distract predators. ��

After Polyphemus eggs hatch, small yellow caterpillars emerge. As the larvae grow, they molt five times, eventually reaching eight to 10 centimetres (three to four inches) in length. Every time they shed their skin, they slightly change in appearance, finally becoming lime green with red and silver spots, and creamy white diagonal lines on their sides.

The Polyphemus larvae are known for their impressive growth. They are voracious eaters, growing to be several thousand times their initial weight in a little less than two months. Unlike most butterfly and moth species, the Polyphemus caterpillars are considered to be polyphagous, meaning they eat from a wide variety of host plants, including American elm, birch, willow, oak, maple, hickory, beech, and walnut. Although the caterpillars eat a lot, they rarely cause issues to trees because their populations are small.��

Once the caterpillar has reached maturity, it spins a thick cocoon made of silk, often wrapped in dead leaves, where it spends the winter. The adult moth emerges the following spring.

It is easy to tell male from female. The most obvious differences are that the males have smaller bodies than the females, and much larger and broader antennae, which they use to detect pheromones released by females. Adult moths do not feed and live only a few days, dedicating their time to finding a mate and reproducing before their brief life ends.

Oxford Clean Water Program��

The Oxford Clean Water Program provides financial assistance to landowners in Oxford County to implement water quality protection practices including erosion control structures, wetland creation, tree planting, decommissioning of unused wells, and more! Visit the for a full list of eligible projects.

Oxford County provides funding for projects delivered through local Conservation Authorities. Some projects are eligible for stacking with other Conservation Authority programs, which may cover up to 100% of the eligible project costs.

Landowners completing projects in 2025 through the Clean Water Program are also eligible for nomination for the 2025 ��

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project at Maglin Site Furniture��

The ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) partnered with in Woodstock to use green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) features to alleviate stormwater issues on the east side of their building. GSI uses natural elements to manage stormwater (rainwater and urban runoff) close to its source.

A rain garden measuring 58 metres long and 4 metres wide was installed to address the issue. The rain garden was designed to capture, infiltrate, and convey stormwater from the building, loading docks area, and adjacent road. The stormwater is directed from the rain garden toward an existing culvert and eventually into the stormwater pond on the south side of Maglin's main parking lot. The rain garden greatly improves the quality of the water entering the stormwater pond.

The Grade 3/4 class from Woodstock Christian School planted more than 600 native wildflowers in the rain garden to create pollinator habitat and increase biodiversity in the area. They were also treated to an awesome gourmet grilled cheese lunch!

Funding was provided in part by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Government of Ontario.

London Environmental Network Sustainability Social��

On July 3rd, the ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) hosted the first event in a new series of London Environmental Network gatherings called Sustainability Socials. The series is designed to connect change makers, inspire collaboration, and advance local sustainability efforts. Each Sustainability Social spotlights a unique theme, offering space for idea exchange, resource sharing, and community building across sectors.

The first event was held at the Watershed Conservation Centre at Fanshawe Conservation Area. It featured Partnership staff tours of UTRCA's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum Certified building and, in particular, the site's Green Stormwater Infrastructure features. Partnership staff also shared information on watershed health, species-at-risk, conservation areas, and UTRCA-managed Environmentally Significant Areas. Attendees enjoyed snacks, socializing, networking, and door prizes.��

Indigenous Solidarity and Awareness Network Event��

On June 18, the Indigenous Solidarity and Awareness Network – Oxford held its second of four Reconcili-ACTION events at Ingersoll Town Hall. Supported by ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) staff and funded through the Oxford Community Foundation’s Stevenson Fund, the series features Indigenous Elders and knowledge holders speaking about environmental health, ecological justice, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing. ��

This second session, “Unearthing History: Archeology, Duty to Consult, and Understanding Treaties,” featured archaeologist Jordan Jamieson from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Jordan gave a fascinating talk about his work as an archaeologist, and he invited audience members to handle objects spanning thousands of years of Indigenous history in this region.

Everyone is welcome to attend the final two sessions: “Ecological Justice and Indigenous Ways of Knowing: Approaching Environmental Work through a Two-Eyed Seeing Approach” and “Food as Medicine: Food Security, Sustainable Harvest, and Holistic Approaches to Health.” These events will be held at Ingersoll Town Hall from 6-8 pm on September 17th and November 19th, respectively.

Community Event at Chippewas of the Thames First Nation��

On June 16th, ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) Partnership and Watershed Science staff participated in a community event held at Antler River Elementary School. Hosted by the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation’s Treaties, Lands, and Environmental Department, the event showcased community partnerships and projects centered around shared ecological goals.

The UTRCA booth featured information on watershed health, the , and species-at-risk and included an interactive arts activity where participants could create beautiful rice-paper prints of fish species native to Deshkan Ziibi/Thames River.��

Celebrating Stewardship at Breakfast on the Farm��

The ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) Stewardship team recently took part in Farm and Food Care Ontario’s much-anticipated Breakfast on the Farm event at Hoenhorst Farms Ltd. in Innerkip. It was a special opportunity to showcase the silage bunker filtration system the UTRCA team helped install with landowner Cox years ago — a system that filters out runoff through multiple stages and is still making a big impact today!��

At the UTRCA information booth, kids were fascinated by the rain simulator model, which demonstrated how different land types respond to rainfall and the ways healthy landscapes can slow down runoff. We also enjoyed many great conversations with visitors and other partners about the important work farmers are doing in the watershed to protect and improve water quality.��

We’re grateful to have been part of this event and look forward to more opportunities to share our work and connect with the community!��

Learn more about the Silage Bunker Filtration Project by watching ��

School-wide Bioblitz��at Antler River Elementary School

In early June, the ����ֱ�� (UTRCA) and Bird Friendly London visited Antler River Elementary School in Chippewas of the Thames First Nation for a full school bioblitz!��

Throughout the day, students worked together to document as many species as they could in an area of forest right behind the school. Students found over 20 native species, including wild geranium, candy-striped spiders, and even wood thrush, a species at risk bird in Ontario. Overall, students learned how to respectfully observe their natural surroundings and work together as a team of community scientists, while also learning about what species they have in their own backyard. ��

While we were there, Bird Friendly London (BFL) installed window stickers on several windows at the school, to help reduce bird collisions and protect native species. ��

That's not all! With the help of BFL, 20 native plants were planted in the garden of the school to help increase their local plant biodiversity.����

Thank you Antler River Elementary School, for having us!��

For any questions about this project, please reach out to April Scholz, Community Partnership Specialist.