Small Drinking Water Systems

Owners and operators of small drinking water systems need to be aware of the changes to how their drinking water will be regulated by the Ontario government.

O. Reg 252/05 as of December 1, 2008 has been changed to O. Reg. 318/08 (Transitional – Small Drinking Water Systems) and O. Reg. 319/08 (Small Drinking Water Systems). The responsibility shifts to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and is now regulated by the Health Promotion and Protection Act.

Small drinking water systems as defined by the Ministry of Health “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 are an owner or operator of a small drinking water system.”

This includes summer camps, motels, churches, community centres restaurants, seasonal trailer parks, gas stations, golf courses and other public facilities. If you have questions regarding your business and small drinking water system please call ESSE at 1-866-356-3773 and we will be happy to answer your questions.

As part of the change, you will receive a visit by a public health inspector from your local health unit to conduct a site-specific risk assessment. From the site assessement, the health inspector will determine your individual requirements for water testing, treatment or other necessary components to ensure operators provide safe drinking water to the public.

ESSE meets training and certification requirements that allow us to be designated as the small drinking water system operator. As the operator of your small drinking water system, we take responsibility for compliance and operation requirements. Our value added service includes all the following:

• We take all necessary samples at required frequency
• Our provinicially trained & certified inspector and technicians follow regulated procedures and industry protocols for sample collection, including the testing for chlorine residual
• Produce maintenance manuals and complete logs and reports as required
• We deliver all water samples to a provincially licensed and accredited laboratory for analysis
• Information packages and compliance materials are provided
• We discuss options for sign posting and sampling reductions
• In the event of adverse sample results, we will make the required verbal notifications and submit written notice
• We consult to ensure appropriate corrective action(s) are taken
• We are available 24/7 to take necessary re-samples and provide support as required
• We deliver the follow-up notice of action(s) taken and the satisfactory results to all necessary parties
• Also if required we can complete engineer reports

Please take some time to read the fact sheets in the links below for more detail information regarding the changes to the regulations, owner operator responsibilities and keeping your drinking water safe:

• Safe Drinking Water is Everybody’s Business [PDF]
• How to Ensure your Water is Safe [PDF]
• Operator Training [PDF]
• Response to Adverse Events [PDF]
• Sampling Test [PDF]
• Source Water [PDF]
• Treatment Options [PDF]
• Small Drinking Water Systems Directives [PDF]
• Get to Know the Law - Part 1 [PDF]
• Get to Know the Law - Part 2 [PDF]

Resources

• New Regulations [PDF]
• Brochure - An Introduction to Operating a Small Drinking Water System [PDF]
• Procedure for Corrective Action for Small Drinking Water Systems that are Not Currently Using Chlorine: English | French [PDF]
• Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario: English | French [PDF]