The new Small Drinking Water Regulations under the Health Protection and Promotion Act are in effect:

• O.Reg.318/08 Transitional - Small Drinking Water Regulation

• O.Reg.319/08 Small Drinking Water Regulation

What is a small drinking water system?

If your business makes drinking water available to the public and you do not get your drinking water from a municipal drinking water system you may be the owner or operator of a small drinking water system.

Here are some examples of small drinking water systems that are regulated under the new regulation:

• Seasonal trailer parks, campgrounds or resorts with 6 or more connections

• Restaurants on private water systems

• Hotels, motels and bed and breakfast accommodations

• Recreational and athletic facilities

• Place of worship

• Places where service clubs and fraternal organizations meet

• Any place where the general public has access to a drinking water fountain or shower

Your Public Health Inspector is here to help:

• Under this new system, small drinking water systems will be inspected by Public Health Inspectors from your local health unit.

• Your local Public Health inspectors will conduct a site-specific risk assessment on every small drinking water system in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties. Based on the assessment, they will determine what owners and operators must do to keep their drinking water safe and will issue a directive for the system, which may include requirements such as water testing, treatment and training. This reflects a customized approach for each small drinking water system depending on the level of risk, rather than "one-size-fits-all" requirements.

• Public Health inspectors will be providing information sessions on the new Small Drinking Water Systems program throughout Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties in the late winter or early spring of 2009 with exact dates and locations to be determined. We will also be contacting the owners and operators of small drinking water systems prior to conducting risk assessments beginning spring of 2009 to arrange for a time to meet with the owners of these systems and conduct the assessment.

Forms for Operators of Small Drinking Water Systems

For more information please see the following resources:

• Get to know the law - Small Drinking Water Systems regulation

• Get to know the law - Small Drinking Water Systems directives

• Small Drinking Water Systems regulations 318/08 / 319/08

• Government of Ontario - Small Drinking Water Systems FAQ

• Licensed Laboratories

For further information please call our Small Drinking water systems inspectors:

• Brockville office:
  Gary Mackenzie
  613-345-5685

• Smiths Falls office:
  Jennifer Bricker
  613-283-2740

• or email Gary or Jennifer