Child holding a glass of water, Child out of focus glass of water in focus.

Skip to Content

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Logo North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Logo Print

Contact Us
  • Public Health
    Services
    • Breastfeeding Clinic
    • Community Events and Farmers Markets
    • Dental Clinic
    • Flu Shot
    • Food Safety Certification Training
    • Healthy Babies, Healthy Children
    • Infection Prevention and Control Investigations
    • Inspection Results and Enforcement
    • Needle Syringe Program
    • Parenting Workshops
    • Prenatal Classes
    • Private Drinking Water Testing
    • The Sexual Health Clinic
    • Vaccination Clinics
    • Vaccination Records
    • Vision Screening
  • Health
    Topics
    • Air Quality
    • Alcohol
    • Animal Bites
    • Beach, Lake and Pool Water
    • Breastfeeding
    • Cancer Prevention and Screening
    • Climate Change
    • Dental Health
    • Diseases
    • Drinking Water
    • Emergencies and Being Prepared
    • Flu/Influenza
    • Food Poisoning
    • Food Safety
    • Gambling
    • Healthy Aging
    • Healthy Eating
    • Home Health and Safety
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Injury Prevention
    • Intimate Partner Violence
    • 2SLGBTQ+
    • Mental Health
    • Naloxone
    • Parenting
    • Perfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS)
    • Physical Activity
    • Preconception and Pregnancy
    • Prenatal Resources
    • Racism
    • Reducing Weight Bias
    • Sexual Health
    • Sharps
    • Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco
    • Substance Use
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Vaccinations
    • Youth Engagement – IMPACT
  • Health Professionals
    and Partners
    • Camp Providers
    • Child Cares
    • COVID-19 Healthcare Providers, Hospitals and Long-Term Care
    • Designated Officers
    • Emergency Management
    • Group Home and Shelter Administrators
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Health Care Providers COVID-19 Vaccine Information
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Municipal Resources
    • Nutrition Resources
    • Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP) Distributing Agencies and First Responders
    • Report an Overdose
    • Schools
    • Teaching Kitchen
  • Community Data
    and Reports
    • Chronic Diseases
    • Environmental Health
    • Health Behaviours
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Indirect Impacts of COVID-19
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Injuries
    • Mortality
    • Nipissing Parry Sound Public Health Atlas
    • Oral Health
    • Population Demographics
    • Reproductive and Child Health
    • Substance Use
    • Well-being and Mental Health
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Board of Health
    • Careers and Placements
    • Contact Us
    • News and Events
    • Personal Health Privacy Policy
    • Programs and Services
    • RFPs and Tenders
Search Button

Back To Top

Drinking Water

HomeHealth TopicsDrinking Water
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Page updated February 2022

Understanding your drinking water

Drinking water from lakes, rivers, shallow wells (dug wells) or drilled wells may contain unseen substances. While most of these substances are harmless, some may be a health risk. Compare your drinking water test results with the Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality to see if they are within the limits set by Health Canada.

Water treatment

Drinking water should be treated if it is sourced from lakes, rivers, shallow wells (dug wells) or drilled wells with poor test results.

For information on drinking water treatment devices visit the Health Canada website.

For information on UV light treatment devices, visit the Government of Canada website. 

Drilled well disinfection instruction

Well disinfection is one way homeowners may deal with an occasional bad water result. For a step-by-step guide on how to disinfect a drilled well, visit the disinfection instruction tool provided by Public Health Ontario.

Testing drinking water is an important part to having safe water. Visit the Public Health Ontario website for information on:

  • Drinking water safety
  • Testing drinking water for bacteria
  • Getting your drinking water test results
  • Understanding water test results
  • What to do if you have bad test results

For information on private water sample submission and the Health Unit water testing schedule, please see our Drinking water sample details / Collecte et envoi d’échantillons d’eau potable

Small Drinking Water Systems

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

As of December 2008, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Long-Term Care (MOLTC) has oversight of small drinking water systems (SDWS) in Ontario under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Ontario Regulation 319/08 (Small Drinking Water Systems).

Some examples of small drinking water systems would be, but not limited to, trailer parks, campgrounds, sit down restaurants, hotels, motels, places of worship, gas stations, recreational facilities, clubs or fraternal organizations, or other facilities that provide the general public with access to a washroom, drinking water fountain or shower.

What is a small drinking water system directive?

A “Directive” is a document that outlines the operational requirements that must be carried out by the owner or operator of a SDWS. It is issued on completion of a site specific risk assessment conducted by a Public Health Inspector. Since there are many types of SDWS, the Public Health Inspector will conduct a site specific risk assessment of the SDWS to determine potential risks to users associated with the operation of the SDWS. This is done by using a risk categorization tool (RCat) to identify and assess potential risks to users and by applying a multi-barrier approach to determine any potential risk that may affect the safety of the drinking water if left uncorrected.

At the end of the risk assessment, the SDWS will be assigned one of the following risk categories for the system as a whole:

  • high=significant risk
  • moderate=medium level risk
  • low=negligible level of risk 

What can be included in a directive?

  • The need for primary, secondary treatment, other treatment equipment
  • Water sampling and testing frequency, location and method
  • The types of samples to be taken
  • Record maintenance
  • Posting warning signs
  • Operational checks
  • Appropriate training for owners/operators

What if I do not agree with the requirements issued in a directive?

If you do not agree with the requirements issued in your directive or an amendment to your directive, you have seven days to request a review by the local Medical Officer of Health (MOH). When requesting a review you must include the following:

  1. The portions of the directive or amendment to the directive that you want to be reviewed
  2. Any submission that you would like the MOH to consider in the review
  3. A current mailing address so that the MOH can provide you with the decision in respect to the review.

What happens to the directive if there is a change in ownership?

If there ls a change in ownership of the SDWS, the directive is site specific and therefore it belongs to the site and remains in effect. It is best to contact the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 705-474-1400 ext. 5400 and advise that there is a change in ownership.

If you should have any questions do not hesitate to talk to a Public Health Inspector at 705-474-1400 ext. 5400.

You may also find additional information on the following websites:

Ontario Regulation 319/08: O. Reg. 319/08: Small Drinking Water Systems

Current list of licensed laboratories: www.ontario.ca/page/list-licensed-laboratories

Small Drinking Water System (forms)

Pre-opening Notification of a Small Drinking Water System

Use this form to notify the Medical Officer of Health that you intend to supply water to users (or re-open) after a 60-day period during which water was not supplied to users (or you were closed). This pre-opening notification is required under Section 5, subsections 6 & 7, of Ontario Regulation 319/08. The pre-opening notification cannot be completed until you have taken a pre-opening water sample and have received the results.

If you are providing a pre-opening notification for more than one small drinking water system, this form must be completed for each small drinking water system.

 

Small Drinking Water System Closure Form

Use the small drinking water system closure form if you would like to inform the Health Unit that the small drinking water system has closed permanently or temporarily. If you are planning to open again, please use the pre-opening notification form prior to re-opening.

 

Designate an Operator of a Small Drinking Water System

Under Section 6 of Regulation 319, Small Drinking Water Systems, every owner is required to designate an operator who will have primary responsibility fulfilling any of the operator’s duties.

You must be an owner of a facility to complete this online form.

 

Previously Unregistered Small Drinking Water Systems

Notice to Operate or Reopen a Small Drinking Water System form is required to be submitted to the Health Unit to register a newly constructed or altered water system.  Please mail, fax 705-474-9481 or email (environmental.health@healthunit.ca) the completed form and any other relevant information to the Health Unit.  Should you have any additional questions, please call, and speak to a public health inspector at 705-474-1400 ext. 5400.

Safe drinking water in child care centres and schools

In an effort to better protect children and youth, the Ontario Regulation 243/07, Schools, Private Schools and Child Care Centres made under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 was improved in 2017. The changes include testing the water of all faucets in a school or child care centre (where water is drawn for drinking). Schools and child care centres are implementing this change gradually until 2020.

More information:

Fact sheet for parents/Fiche d’information à l’intention des parents

Flushing your plumbing/Vidanger votre installation de plomberie

Lead in drinking water

Drinking Water Advisories

If a problem with your drinking water is detected, you may have to operate under a drinking water advisory. To use water safely during an advisory, follow the advice in the guidelines and commonly asked questions:

Guidelines

Guidelines for food establishments during a boil water advisory

Guidelines for dental offices during a boil water advisory

Guidelines for child care centres during a boil water advisory

Commonly asked questions

Commonly asked questions about boil water advisories

Commonly asked questions about drinking water advisories

Drinking Water advisory signs

Boil water advisory sign/Avis de faire bouillir l’eau

Do Not Drink this Water Sign

Sodium Exceedance Tap Posting

 

 

 

Health Topics
    • Air Quality
    • Alcohol
    • Animal Bites
      Toggle Section Animal Bites Menu
      • Rabies
    • Beach, Lake and Pool Water
      Toggle Section Beach, Lake and Pool Water Menu
      • Beaches
      • Public Spas, Pools and Hot Tubs
      • Harmful Algae Blooms
      • Swimmer's Itch
    • Breastfeeding
      Toggle Section Breastfeeding Menu
      • Using a Breastmilk Substitute
    • Cancer Prevention and Screening
      Toggle Section Cancer Prevention and Screening Menu
      • Sun Safety
    • Climate Change
    • Dental Health
      Toggle Section Dental Health Menu
      • Caring for Your Child's Teeth
      • Dental First Aid
      • Early Childhood Tooth Decay
      • School Screening Program
      • Water Fluoridation
    • Diseases
      Toggle Section Diseases Menu
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
        Toggle Section Coronavirus (COVID-19) Menu
        • Business and Workplaces
          Toggle Section Business and Workplaces Menu
          • Face Coverings and PPE
          • Signs and Screening Tools
        • COVID-19: What to do if Symptomatic, Positive or Exposed
        • COVID-19 Testing
        • COVID-19 Vaccine
        • Écoles/services de garde d'enfants et la COVID-19
        • Schools/Child Cares and COVID-19
      • Flu/Influenza
        Toggle Section Flu/Influenza Menu
        • About the Flu Shot
      • Hepatitis A
      • iGAS or Invasive Group A Strep
      • Lyme Disease
      • Measles
      • Monkeypox
      • Mumps
      • Shingles
      • Tuberculosis
      • West Nile Virus
      • Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
        Toggle Section Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Menu
        • Coqueluche - Foire aux questions
    • Drinking Water
      Toggle Section Drinking Water Menu
      • Lead
    • Emergencies and Being Prepared
      Toggle Section Emergencies and Being Prepared Menu
      • Cleaning up after a Flood
      • Drinking Water Disinfection Instruction
      • Emergency Kits
      • Food and Water Safety for Power Outages
    • Flu/Influenza
    • Food Poisoning
      Toggle Section Food Poisoning Menu
      • Farm Fresh Eggs Safety
    • Food Safety
    • Gambling
    • Healthy Aging
      Toggle Section Healthy Aging Menu
      • Age-Friendly Communities
      • Call-in and Online Activity Groups for Older Adults
    • Healthy Eating
      Toggle Section Healthy Eating Menu
      • Community Groups & School Programs
      • Cooking and Food Skills
        Toggle Section Cooking and Food Skills Menu
        • Freezing Fruit and Vegetables
      • Find a Registered Dietitian
      • Food and the Environment
      • Food Insecurity
      • Get Cooking
      • Healthy Food for Life
        Toggle Section Healthy Food for Life Menu
        • Nutrition During Pregnancy
        • Feeding Your Baby
        • Feeding Your Preschooler
        • Feeding Your School-Aged Child
        • Nutrition for Older Adults
      • Healthy Recipes
        Toggle Section Healthy Recipes Menu
        • A Cut Above the Roast
      • Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program
    • Home Health and Safety
    • Housing and Homelessness
      Toggle Section Housing and Homelessness Menu
      • Homelessness Factors
      • Housing is a Health Issue and a Human Right
      • Homelessness Prevention
      • Local Services to Address Homelessness
      • Stigma and its Impacts
    • Injury Prevention
      Toggle Section Injury Prevention Menu
      • Concussions
      • Helmets
    • Intimate Partner Violence
    • 2SLGBTQ+
      Toggle Section 2SLGBTQ+ Menu
      • Committing to 2SLGBTQ+ Equity
      • Homophobia
      • Pronouns
      • Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression
      • When Someone Comes Out
      • Youth and Teens
      • Positive Spaces and Other Training
      • Resources
    • Mental Health
      Toggle Section Mental Health Menu
      • 5 Ways to Well-being
        Toggle Section 5 Ways to Well-being Menu
        • Be Active
        • Connect
        • Give
        • Keep Learning
        • Take Notice
      • Mental Health Services
      • Postpartum Mood Disorders
    • Naloxone
      Toggle Section Naloxone Menu
      • Naloxone Training FAQ
    • Parenting
      Toggle Section Parenting Menu
      • New Parent Resources
      • Parenting During COVID-19
    • Perfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS)
    • Physical Activity
      Toggle Section Physical Activity Menu
      • Active Transportation
      • Physical Activity Resources
        Toggle Section Physical Activity Resources Menu
        • Exercise Class Schedule
        • Virtual Exercise Classes
    • Preconception and Pregnancy
    • Prenatal Resources
    • Racism
    • Reducing Weight Bias
      Toggle Section Reducing Weight Bias Menu
      • Body Positivity
    • Sexual Health
      Toggle Section Sexual Health Menu
      • Birth Control
      • Men’s Sexual Health (Guys into Guys)
        Toggle Section Men’s Sexual Health (Guys into Guys) Menu
        • Santé sexuelle chez les hommes : pour les hommes qui aiment les hommes
      • Preconception Health
      • Pregnancy Testing and Options
      • PrEP
      • Sex After Having a Baby
      • Sexually Transmitted Infections
      • Sex & COVID-19
    • Sharps
      Toggle Section Sharps Menu
      • Safe Sharps Handling and Disposal
    • Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco
      Toggle Section Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Menu
      • Quit Smoking
      • Arrêter de fumer ou de vapoter
      • Smoke-Free Spaces and the Law
      • Vaping and E-cigarettes
      • Vapotage et cigarettes électroniques
    • Substance Use
      Toggle Section Substance Use Menu
      • Cannabis
      • Drug-Related Stigma
        Toggle Section Drug-Related Stigma Menu
        • Let's work together to: Stop the shame. Stop the blame. Stop the stigma.
      • Healthy High - Risk-Taking Can Be Healthy
      • Methamphetamine Use
      • Opioids
      • Social Determinants of Health
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Vaccinations
      Toggle Section Vaccinations Menu
      • Adult Information
      • Child Care Information
        Toggle Section Child Care Information Menu
        • Vaccination Information for Parents
      • COVID-19 Vaccines
        Toggle Section COVID-19 Vaccines Menu
        • COVID-19 Vaccine & Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions
        • COVID-19 Vaccine: Information for Parents and Caregivers
      • Hepatitis B Vaccine Information
        Toggle Section Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Menu
        • Informations sur le vaccin de l'hépatite B
      • Meningococcal Disease Vaccine Information
        Toggle Section Meningococcal Disease Vaccine Information Menu
        • Informations sur le vaccin contre la méningococcie
      • Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule
      • School Information
        Toggle Section School Information Menu
        • Informed Consent
        • Consentement éclairé
      • TB Testing
      • Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough Vaccine Information
      • The Law, Exemptions, Suspensions and Exclusions
        Toggle Section The Law, Exemptions, Suspensions and Exclusions Menu
        • Suspension Process
    • Youth Engagement – IMPACT

Contact Us

Subscribe to this page

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Footer Logo

  • Website

    • About Us
    • Employment Opportunities
    • News
  • Links

    • Accessibility
    • Privacy
    • Sitemap
    • Feedback Form
  • Resources

    Increase Contrast

Your lifetime partner in healthy living!

Copyright 2022 North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

By GHD Digital

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.