Walkerton Water Commemoration | Municipality of Brockton

Honouring Our Past,

Shaping a Safer Future

The 2000 water contamination in Walkerton marks a pivotal moment in Brockton’s history. While the E. coli outbreak deeply impacted our community, it also revealed the strength and resilience of our residents. Today, we honour the legacy of those affected while recognizing the significant progress Brockton has made since the crisis. Our community’s response helped pave the way for safer drinking water standards across Ontario.

Established in 2002 at the corner of Yonge and First Streets, the Heritage Water Garden stands as a place of remembrance and reflection. This beautifully maintained park features vibrant gardens, walking paths, peaceful seating areas, and a prominent memorial fountain. It serves both as a tribute to those impacted by the tragedy and as a symbol of our commitment to safe, clean water.

In 2020, the Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Award was launched to support students in the region who aspire to careers in clean water management. This fund encourages the next generation to build on Brockton’s legacy and lead the way in protecting one of our most vital resources.

Over the past 25 years, Brockton has demonstrated remarkable resilience and unity. What was already a close-knit community has grown even stronger. People continue to choose Brockton as their home because of the care, compassion, and support shared among residents—a community that looks out for one another and moves forward, together.

Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Award

Inspiring Future Leaders in Environmental Stewardship

Created in 2020, the Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Award celebrates local students pursuing careers in environmental science or clean water management. Each year, one deserving recipient is awarded a $1,500 scholarship to support their post-secondary education at a recognized college or university—or at the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.

Eligibility and Application

Students from Bruce and Grey Counties are encouraged to apply online each spring through Community Foundation Grey Bruce's website. The application deadline is May 31, and all submissions are carefully reviewed by a panel of local representatives.

Honouring Our Past, Investing in the Future

Established in 2020, the award commemorates the Walkerton water crisis of 2000, paying tribute to the community’s resilience and the lives impacted by the tragedy. It supports students committed to advancing environmental protection and sustainable water management—ensuring the legacy of Walkerton leads to meaningful progress.

Funding and Community Support

The scholarship is funded annually through income earned from an endowed fund held by the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, a registered charity. This long-term investment fosters student growth, builds essential skills, and inspires positive change for the future.

Contribute to the Legacy

The Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Award is made possible by the generous support of organizations and individuals, including the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, Walkerton Rotary Club, Veolia Water Canada, private donors, and the Municipality of Brockton.

To support the fund, visit Community Foundation Grey Bruce's Donor webpage, or call 519-371-7203.

Walkerton Clean Water Legacy Award Winners

2023 - Katelynn Lavergne
2022 - Viviane Weiland
2021 - Connor Maxwell

Katelynn Lavergne, 2023 Winner

Viviane Weiland, 2022 Winner

Connor Maxwell, 2021 Winner

Educational Resources

Conservation Ontario

View Conservation Ontario's Walkerton Inquiry webpage for information on the Walkerton Inquiry, and recommendations that followed related to protecting drinking water. These recommendations are the building blocks of Ontario’s drinking water protection framework.

Drinking Water Source Protection

The government of Ontario established the Drinking Water Source Protection program to help protect drinking water sources and systems that are not included in a source protection plan and/or not regulated by the Clean Water Act . This program helps educate people in our communities on how to keep their drinking water safe and remove potential threats to their drinking water systems. Read their article from May 2020, remembering the Walkerton drinking water tragedy.

Water Clean Water Centre

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre is a board-governed operational service agency of the Government of Ontario. The Centre coordinates and provides mandatory training required by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, specialized training, and information to drinking water system owners, operators, operating authorities and the public. Visit the WCWC's website for more information on the services and programs they offer, including training courses, and facility tours..

Walkerton Clean Water Centre Tours

The Walkerton Clean Water Centre are offering free tours to the public on Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in participating in the tour, please contact the Walkerton Clean Water Centre at 519-881-2003.

Commemorative Locations