Small Drinking Water Systems

The Small Drinking Water System Regulation 319/08 is enforced by Durham Region Health Department. Public health inspectors (PHI) conduct on-site risk assessments of all Small Drinking Water Systems (SDWS) including seasonal trailer parks, community centres, restaurants, libraries, motels, churches, gas stations and other public facilities not served by municipal water and where the public has access to water.

Owner/operator requirements

Upon completion of a risk assessment, a PHI will determine what must be done by the owner/operator of the system to help keep the drinking water safe, this can include water treatment, water testing, and/or training.

Each SDWS owner/operator is required to register with the Health Department to obtain their own unique identification number for each SDWS. To register a system, the Small Drinking Water System Identification form must be completed and submitted to the Health Department. If you are unsure if your system is a SDWS, contact the Health Department.

As a SDWS owner/operator, you must also register with a commercially licensed laboratory for water testing. It is recommended that the owner/operator registers with at least two commercial licensed laboratories. When registering a SDWS with a licensed laboratory, the owner/operator of a SDWS must also complete a Laboratory Services Notification (LSN) form and submit this documentation to the Health Department.

List of laboratories licensed to perform drinking water tests in Ontario

Reporting an adverse water quality incident

When something goes wrong with a Small Drinking Water System, the event may be referred to as an adverse drinking water quality incident (AWQI). An AWQI can be, but is not limited to, an adverse sample result, no free available chlorine (FAC) in a distribution system, or failure of a UV treatment device. Once you become aware of an adverse water test result for your SDWS or if you see that the drinking water directed to users is not properly disinfected (treated), you must:

• Immediately stop the supply of water to users.
• Immediately report the event to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) by speaking with a Health Department representative in person or on the phone. A public health inspector is available to take these reports during regular office hours Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by telephone. Please do not leave a message. If reporting an adverse water quality incident outside of regular office hours, please call the Health Department to speak to a public health inspector.

Important: In addition to immediately reporting an AWQI verbally, you must also send a written notice to the Health Department MOH within 24 hours using the Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution form. Complete Section 2 of the form. The form can be faxed, emailed or hand delivered to the Health Department.

Notice of issue resolution

Once an adverse water quality incident (AWQI) is resolved, the owner or designated operator must provide a written notice to the Health Department within seven days. The notice of issue resolution summarizes the actions taken to resolve the AWQI and the results achieved. Section 2 of the Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution form should be updated and re-submitted. The form can be faxed, emailed or hand delivered to the Health Department.

Disclosure

To fulfill the requirements of the Ontario Public Health Standards and in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water and Fluoride Monitoring Protocol, the Durham Region Health Department publicly discloses a summary report of each routine and complaint based inspection and drinking water advisory for all Small Drinking Water Systems.

Every owner/operator of a Small Drinking Water System must post Check&GO! signage in a conspicuous location at their facility. Check&GO! signage will be provided by your public health inspector.