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Health Unit Role in Drinking Water Safety
Safe Water is a Mandatory Program under the responsibility of
the Health Protection Department. One of the more well-known roles of the Health
Unit is that when there is a possible or determined presence of bacteria in
water consumed by the public, the Health Unit issues Boil Water Advisories and
Boil Water Orders so that the water can be consumed after it has gone through a
boiling process. But that isn’t the only role in drinking water safety. When
water supplies are threatened as in an emergency or when chemical or
radiological health standards are exceeded, the Medical Officer of Health (MOH)
is a necessary contact for emergency response.
In the Safe Water Act, the Medical Officer of Health is identified as a key
contact as she works with Public Health Inspectors (PHI) and the Ministry of
Environment to make specific instructions when adverse water quality results are
received. An assigned PHI is the eyes of the MOH out in the field as well. The
PHI assists in determining a correct course of action for the operator of the
public water system. They may need to take additional samples or use other
methods to ensure that the public has access to safe drinking water.
For more information about the regulations for drinking water
safety, you can view the Ontario Drinking Water Standards at this website:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/water/sdwa/legislation.htm
E. Jane Lyster, CPHI(C), CSW, Director of Health Protection |
In the Safe Water Act, the Medical Officer of Health is
identified as a key contact ...
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Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
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