New Legislation Ensures Safe Drinking Water

Submitted by Henry Garcia, CPHI(C), DPHA, BASc (Env.H),Director of Health Protection

Over the past two years the Government of Ontario has introduced new legislation as a means of ensuring safe drinking water for public consumption. 

The new Safe Drinking Water Act and a number of regulations require all water systems in Ontario that provide water for drinking to the public to meet certain testing and treatment criteria. At this time, all municipal systems, health care institutional systems, schools and nursery schools must be in full compliance with the legislated requirements. 

Other smaller systems such as trailer parks, restaurants and community centers must be in full compliance no later than December 2005. The Health Unit provides the public with water testing kits for bacteria analysis to be used by private homeowners. We also respond to all adverse drinking water results from regulated systems and provide free advice to homeowners on various water safety issues in regards to private domestic water supplies.

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