RationaleIn the province of Ontario, industrialization and urbanization have generated many problems. One of these problems is water pollution, linked to mines and industries, road salt, drinking water, vehicle emissions, etc. The presence of mercury has also been found in lakes and rivers. The chlor-alkali plant in the pulp and paper industry used mercury to produce chlorine, but these plants are no longer operating and the level of mercury in water bodies has declined since then. [1] Mining affects the environment through water pollution in the form of acid drainage discharge, metals, cyanide, and suspended particles in water bodies. [2] Water pollution is one of the main concerns. Acid rain, erosion and sedimentation, groundwater contamination and sewage are some of the reasons for water pollution. Ground and surface water are generally uncontaminated in Canada. Some areas may be polluted occasionally. A number of ways, including industrial and municipal discharges, runoff, spills, and deposition of airborne pollutants, by which pollution enters bodies of water. Waste can easily be discharged into a river, lake or other body of water. Dumped waste can be in large or small quantities, dumped accidentally or intentionally and it can be transported but can never disappear. Waste can change shape and become diluted. But the overload of this waste causes pollution. [3]Impacts of water pollution on human health“The WHO states that one sixth of the world's population, approximately 1.1 billion people, do not have access to safe drinking water and 2 .4 billion do not have basic sanitation. » The impact of water pollution comes in two forms: Microbiological contamination, which has caused waterborne diseases, is due to improper use...... middle of document.... .. Commissioner of Ontario (2007): www.eco.on.ca /uploads/Reports%20-%20Annual/2006_07/2007ar.pdf9- http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/ wq/bmps/npsaction_key.html#f10- Annual Report - Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (2007): www.eco.on.ca/uploads/Reports%20-%20Annual/2006_07/2007ar.pdf11- Muldoon , P., LA (2009). “An introduction to environmental law and policy in Canada.” Emond Montgomery Publications Limited.12- Corkal DR, IB (2007). The Canadian Case – Institutions and Water in the South Saskatchewan River Basin. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada13- http://books.google.ca/books?id=aw5vKB7rXE4C&pg=PA2&lpg=PA2&dq=environmental+policy+statement+for+water+pollution&source=bl&ots=iDFRCyoq7C&sig=HSOXhf0J2Tho2Wbwjv0uHTIZ93Q&hl=en&sa=X&ei=lP1RU 5 -ALeLb2AX --IGAAw&ved=0CGAQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=environmental%20policy%20statement%20for%20water%20pollution&f=false