| #Q001 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Municipal Support Requirement for Water Bottlers | drinking water, other | The legislature also passed amendments to the Ontario Water Resources Act in December 2020 to require water bottling companies to have the support of their local host municipality for a new or increased groundwater taking in their community. | Applies for a new or increased groundwater taking in their community | high |
| #Q002 | operational | health | mandatory | Maintenance of Essential Water Uses | drinking water, agricultural water, other | the consideration of the drinking water portion of water uses and certain essential water uses that must be maintained to protect health and safety (e.g. food safety) and maintain food security in the province (e.g., continuing processing of locally grown products) regardless of the priority level of a particular user | Must be maintained regardless of the priority level of a particular user | medium |
| #Q003 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Host Municipality Support Reporting | drinking water, other | While the proposed amendment includes a requirement for water bottling companies to report whether they have support from the host municipality when applying for a Permit to Take Water for a new water taking or increased amount of water, an exception is proposed for smaller groundwater takings by water bottling companies that are below a limit of 379,000 litres per day in total within a municipality. | When applying for a Permit to Take Water for a new water taking or increased amount of water; does not apply to takings below 379,000 litres per day in total within a municipality | high |
| #Q004 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Establishment of Water Use Priorities | drinking water, agricultural water, other | establish priorities of water use to be considered in water taking decisions | Used to guide decisions when there are competing demands for water | high |
| #Q005 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Public Access to Water Taking Data | other | make water taking data more accessible to the public to increase transparency and enhance water management | Enacted through amendments to O. Reg. 387/04 and O. Reg. 63/16 | high |
| #Q006 | administrative | reporting | guidance | Procedural Notification for Area-Based Strategies | other | direct notification to water users, Indigenous communities and organizations, municipalities, and others of intent to develop a strategy and seek input on a draft strategy | Applies during area-based strategy development in water quantity stressed areas | medium |