Best Practices for Source Water Protection Learn how to manage risks and identify actions that you can take to protect your drinking water source ! The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has released best practices for source water protection to provide landowners who are not covered by provincially-approved source protection plans with the tools and guide needed to protect their drinking water sources. The best practice provides easy to understand information and tips to help protect these drinking water sources from contamination, such as how to ensure a septic system is functioning properly and how to store on-site fuel tanks and pesticides safely. Certain activities can pose a risk to drinking water if pollutants are released to the environment. Pollutants, also called contaminants, are either: chemicals, such as fuels, solvents, metals and pesticides biological pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses Share your thoughts on best practices for source water protection by taking part in the survey located on ontario.ca.