Mandatory Water Testing has Arrived in Ontario_if you have a wellFacility Owners & Operators
Mandatory Water Testing has Arrived in Ontario!
(if you have a well)
by Kathy Fremes, Chair, Horse Facilities Advisory Council
Does your barn have its own source of water coming from a drilled or dug well?
Do you have public coming onto your property who may drink this water?
Is there a washroom - and we're not talking outhouse here- that is used by your clients?
If so, you're a "full flush facility" and as of December 1, 2008, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) has enacted a new regulation that oversees Small Drinking Water Systems (SDWS). So here's how it will affect you:
How to Get Started
Contact your local public health unit if you may be operating a SDWS. Remember this is an introduction and overview of the recent changes to Ontario's small drinking water systems program.
It is only a summary of your legal responsibilities as the owner or operator of a SDWS. You must refer to the requirements in the SDWS regulations and any directives issued under Ontario Regulation 319/08.
The public health inspector (PHI) is an accredited public health professional who will be delivering the new SDWS program.
The PHI is one of the most important partners who will work with you along with the MOHLTC and the MOE, to help you provide safe water to all users of your SDWS.
The PHI works for the local public health unit (PHU) to keep your community safe. in addition to delivering the SDWS program and keeping our facilities safe, the PHI also:
- Educates the public on a variety of programs for Rabies and West Nile Virus illnesses
- Investigates, consults and responds to health hazard complaints, adverse water quality incidents, spills, indoor air quality incidents/complaints
- Plays a role in the control of communicable diseases such as food-related and water-related illnesses caused by E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella bacteria
Who are some of the PHU staff? PHIs, doctors, public health nurses, dentists, nutritionists, epidemiologists and homecare specialists, just to name a few. Your local public health unit is governed by a board of health that comprises members from your regional or municipal areas.
The medical officer of health (usually called the MOH) is the head of the local public health unit. The MOH oversees the delivery of the Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols in partnership with a highly trained group of public health professionals in your community.
Your Responsibilities
Do you plan to open or are you currently operating a SDWS?
If yes, you should know that it is your responsibility to:
- Notify your local medical officer of health (MOH) in writing of your intention to operate a SDWS following construction, installation, alteration or extension of your SDWS
The MOH will: - Provide you with a unique identification number that is specific to your SDWS. This number will be used for all your lab sample submissions and other correspondence related to your SDWS
- Arrange for a public health inspector (PHI) to conduct a site-specific risk assessment of your SDWS and issue a directive including any sampling frequency and testing requirements
- Choose a commercial lab that is licensed by the MOE for testing your drinking water samples
- Provide the lab with the unique identification number for your SDWS when submitting your samples to the lab using their Chain of Custody form
- Provide both the lab and the local public health unit with your current contact information
- Provide the name and contact information for the designated operator responsible for your SDWS
You may also be required to test daily or several times per week to ensure the drinking water is adequately treated. You may also be required to collect samples from several locations (plumbing or distribution system) depending on the complexity of the system.
The Presence of Chemical, Physical or Radio-Nuclide Parameters:
You may also be required to test your drinking water for the presence of chemical (nitrate and lead), physical (turbidity) or radionuclide (uranium) parameters in specific circumstances.
Where Can I Find Additional Information?
As the owner or operator of a SDWS this information is not substitute for legal advice. For more complete understanding of your legal responsibilities as an owner/operator refer to Ontario Regulation 318/08 and Ontario Regulation 319/08 or any directives issued on your system.
In addition, you should become familiar with the procedure documents produced to help you efficiently operate a SDWS:
- Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
- Procedure for Corrective Action for Small Drinking Water Systems that are Not Currently Using Chlorine
For general information about well water safety, ask your health unit staff for a copy of Keeping Your Well Water Safe to Drink: An information kit to help you care for your well.
You may also find additional information on the following Ontario ministry websites:
Act and Regulations
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC)
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Ministry of the Environment (MOE)
Current List of Licensed Laboratories
Current List of Local Public Health Units
How Can You Stay Up-To-Date On Drinking Water Issues?
You can request that you be added to the mailing list to stay current on small drinking water systems by sending an email to safewater.moh@ontario.ca
This may seem like a lot to swallow...no pun intended...but ignorance of this new law is no defence. Mandatory testing will ensure that the water you, your clients and your horses drink is pure and safe. And that's a good thing!
If you have any questions, please contact Lesley McCoy at the OEF office:
Email: execassist@horse.on.ca
or by telephone at 1-877-441-7112 or 905-709-6545