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 |
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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 |
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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:
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 |
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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:
What can be included in a directive?
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:
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 SystemUse 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 FormUse 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 SystemUnder 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 SystemsNotice 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 |
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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 |
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 |
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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 |
Drinking Water advisory signs |