East Gwillimbury Treatment Plant Green Lane
York Region will be constructing a new groundwater treatment facility on Green Lane in the Town of East Gwillimbury. The new facility will provide servicing to the local drinking water systems, drawing water from two new water production wells for the towns of East Gwillimbury, Newmarket and Aurora.
To support the new facility, York Region is conducting multiple field studies to prepare for the facility and have retained the services of an engineering consultant to conduct the work.
There may be several field study crews on site to collect readings at different times, which could include:
- Private well investigation and field survey
- Topographical survey
- Utility survey
- Geotechnical investigation
- Hydrogeological investigation
- Surface water study
Impacts:
- Access to all homes will be maintained and there is no impact to your water or wastewater services
- There may be several field study crews on site to collect readings at different times
- A drill rig may be required for the geotechnical borehole drilling and additional groundwater monitoring wells may be installed; the area will be restored when the work is completed
Private Well Investigation and Field Verification Survey
Private well owners protecting our water!
We want to hear from you.
York Region will be conducting a private well investigation and field verification survey to ensure current well owners in the towns of East Gwillimbury, Newmarket and Aurora, who do not receive municipal water services, will not be impacted by the new water production wells at the groundwater treatment facility.
What to Expect – Summer to fall 2025
- Private well owners will be invited to complete the online Private Well Investigation and Field Verification Survey; scan the QR Code to take the survey
- Field staff can visit private well owners to help complete the survey and answer questions. A Private Well Investigation and Field Verification Survey package will be left if the private well owner is unavailable
- Based on survey results, we may contact some private well owners for more information about their well
Why Participate?
York Region is committed to sustainable water practices, providing safe, clean drinking water and values your support in maintaining the health of our aquifers. By working together, we are ensuring private wells in the community are working well and provide a sustainable supply of clean drinking water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a private water well and how do I know if I have one?
A private water well is a self-contained water supply system, not connected to a municipal supply source, that provides water to a property. The well can look like a steel pipe extending into the ground, or a hole or pit in the ground, similar to the images below. Sometimes the well is buried, and you cannot see anything from the surface.
Figure 1. Drilled water well
Figure 2. Dug or Bored well
What is the purpose of the Private Well Survey?
A private well survey is a field truthing exercise, performed by professionals, to document information about private water supply use in an area. The objective is to better understand and verify information from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) water well record database. These surveys help York Region establish and maintain sustainable water practices.
Why should I participate in the Private Well Investigation and Field Verification Survey? Is it mandatory?
York Region is committed to sustainable water practices and values your support in maintaining the health of our aquifers. The survey is not mandatory; by working together, we can ensure the functionality of private wells in the community.
You can participate by completing the Private Well Online Survey.
Is participation mandatory?
No, your participation is voluntary.
Should I complete the survey if I don’t have a private water well?
Yes. If you have been asked to participate in the survey, your property is in an area where private water wells may be a primary or secondary water supply source. Completing the survey will help us verify water supply information in your area.
When do I need to complete the survey?
Complete the survey by August 31, 2025. Your timely response is appreciated. If you are unable to complete the survey by August 31, 2025, please contact:
Access York
York Region, Public Works
1-877-464-9675
@email
Where can I find more information about my private water well?
When a private water well is constructed or modified, the licensed Well Driller/Contractor will file a water well record with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. This record provides information about the well and there is a corresponding Ontario Well Tag number. The well tag number is attached to the well casing (well pipe) and should be visible. See example images below.
When you locate the Well Tag number, you can find your Water Well Record from the MECP open data catalogue.
Source: Ontario.ca
What if I cannot answer all the questions in the survey?
No problem. Please complete the survey to the best of your knowledge and with information you believe is accurate. If you are unsure, please contact us for help:
Access York
York Region, Public Works
1-877-464-9675
@email
I've completed the Private Well Investigation and Field Verification Survey, now what?
Based on survey results, select participants may be contacted to gather additional information about their well. This will include a visit from the engineering consultant to inspect your well. Additional information will be provided.
Is the project going to reduce my well’s supply capacity?
Your well’s water taking capacity is unlikely to be impacted by the construction of the water treatment facility and production wells; once commissioned, the new wells will be withdrawing water from the Yonge Street Aquifer; some private wells are screened within this same aquifer.
To be proactive in sustainable water practices, and to support our private well owners the Region is gathering information from private well owners via the Survey about our aquifers. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
When will the groundwater treatment facility be completed and in operation?
The new facility and production wells are not expected to be in operation until 2029.
I am a private well owner, but not in the study area, do I need to complete the Survey?
No, you do not need to complete the Survey; however, if you wish to provide us with information related to your private well – you are welcome to do so.
I am struggling with how to complete the Private Well Investigation and Field Verification Survey – who do I contact?
If you are struggling, please contact:
Access York
York Region, Public Works
1-877-464-9675
@email
How can I volunteer to participate in the study, beyond the Private Well Investigation and Field Verification Survey?
If you wish to participate beyond the Private Well Online Survey, you may need to qualify your well, with a datalogger to record continuous water level measurements over the next several years.
To indicate your interest, please select ‘yes’ on the well survey form that grants permission for a qualified representative to enter your property to collect more information about your well. If you are interested in learning more, please contact:
Access York
York Region, Public Works
1-877-464-9675
@email
Is the project going to impact my well’s water quality?
Your well’s water quality is unlikely to be impacted by the project construction and/or new production wells. York Region protects drinking water sources by implementing a Source Water Protection Program under the Clean Water Act, that protects water supplies from potential threats within vulnerable areas now and into the future. A new area around the East Gwillimbury Treatment Plant Green Lane, known as a Well Head Protection Area, will be established and legislated by the Province of Ontario to control activities that may pose a potential threat to the quality and quantity of groundwater in this area.
To learn more visit the York Region’s Drinking Water Source Protection program information
Will the taste of my water be different?
The taste of your water is unlikely to be impacted.
Is water sourced from the new production wells for new development projects?
No. The new production wells will be used to maintain the current water supply capacity from the municipal production well supply system permitted under the Yonge Street Aquifer Permit to Take Water (PTTW) with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Parks. Additional benefits of the new production wells are to provide system redundancy and operational flexibility, supporting the continued delivery of water to residents and businesses in the towns of Aurora, Newmarket and East Gwillimbury.
How do I test my well’s water quality?
If you wish to have your private well tested, additional information is provided on the Private Well Water Testing Survey. For more information on private well water testing, contact:
Health Connection
1-800-361-5653 or dial 711 with a TTY device
