Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) is an inter-municipal environmental protection and advisory agency that works with local municipalities, government agencies, special interest groups and the general public to protect the natural resources of the Rideau River watershed.

The watershed drains an area of over 4,000 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi) of eastern Ontario and includes towns such as Portland, Perth, Smith Falls, Merrickville, Kemptville, and Manotick.

There are 18 municipalities within the valley and most people, outside of Ottawa, draw their drinking water from the river or from groundwater.

The mission of the RVCA is to have clean drinking water, natural shorelines, and sustainable land use throughout the Rideau Valley watershed.

It accepts gifts of land in exchange for a charitable tax receipt for the fair market value of the property in common with groups like the Rideau Waterway Land Trust Foundation, local municipalities and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.