The responsibility for Small Drinking Water Systems (SDWS) is being transferred to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Locally, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit will enforce a new SDWS regulation under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, beginning in 2009.
Public Health Inspectors will be required to inspect all non-residential, non-municipal public SDWS and decide how often the owners/operators will need to have the water tested and what they must do to keep the water safe.
To learn more, click on one of the "Frequently Asked Questions' below:
Click here download the SDWS information brochure.
How will I know if I operate a SDWS?
- Does your business make drinking water available to the public?
- Does your business use a private well or surface water sources, like rivers and lakes?
- If you answered “yes” to either question, then it is your responsibility to take steps to make sure the water from your SDWS is safe to drink.
- Businesses with this responsibility could include, but are not limited to, restaurants, community centres, places of worship, recreational camps and seasonal trailer parks.
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How will this legislation affect my SDWS?
- Within the next few years, each SDWS will be assessed for the risk of contamination. Each SDWS will be assigned specific monitoring procedures and treatment requirements. If an owner/operator can prove a history of safe water samples,treatment may not be required
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What can I do to prepare for the risk assessment?
- A history of water sampling will be needed as part of the assessment. Although it is not currently required, it is recommended that SDWS owners/operators take monthly water samples for Total Coliforms and E. coli.
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What can I do to keep my drinking water safe?
- Make sure your wells are properly constructed and keep all potential sources of contamination away from the well.
- Test your water regularly by using a professional lab to make sure it is safe to drink. Look in the Yellow Pages™ under Labratories-Analytical & Testing.
- If samples indicate your water is not safe to drink, you may need a disinfection system. Talk to professional suppliers to
find and install the right type of treatment system.
- Check your entire water system from the source to the tap and properly maintain pipes, pumps, valves, storage tanks,
reservoirs, meters and fittings.
- Let the public know if you find any problems. Discuss the problem with your Public Health Inspector.
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Where can I get more information?
- Call a Public Health Inspector at 625-5930 or 1-888-294-6630, ext. 5930.
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