Keeping Drinking Water Safe

With the introduction of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Drinking-Water Systems Regulation, the maintenance and monitoring of public and private water has been dramatically changed.

The Health Unit must respond to reports of adverse drinking water quality from all public and private drinking water systems. These systems range from municipal water treatment facilities to small private campgrounds and commercial properties where the public has access to drinking water.

If circumstances indicate a potential impact on human health, the Health Unit will issue a Boil Water Advisory to the water system operator. Users must then be notified that the water is unsafe and the operator is required to take the necessary corrective actions.

While private homeowners are not covered by these regulations, they are encouraged to routinely sample their well water. Sample bottles and information on the proper sampling procedure are available at all Health Unit offices.