Groundwater is a vital resource for approximately 3 million Ontarians. Often it is the only source of clean water for drinking, farming, and manufacturing. A number of municipalities use groundwater as the major source of its citizens’ water supply. 

The groundwater industry in Ontario had its beginnings in the early 1900s. The creation of the Ontario Water Resources Commission (OWRC) was in 1955. The OWRC had the lead in developing regulations, policies and guidelines, and securing abundant and safe groundwater supplies throughout Ontario.

The Ontario Ground Water Association was created in 1952 as a not-for-profit organization to facilitate the various sectors of the groundwater industry coming together for the delivery of safe and clean water supplies throughout the Province.