Drinking Water Advisories
What is a drinking water advisory?
Drinking water advisories are preventive measures to protect public
health from waterborne contaminants that could be, or are known to be,
present in drinking water. They include boil water advisories and "do
not drink" advisories.
- Boil water advisories are a way to advise the public that they should
boil their tap water for drinking and for other uses, such as brushing
teeth.
- Do not drink advisories are a way to advise the public that they
should use an alternative source of drinking water, like bottled water,
for drinking and for other uses.
It should be noted that boil water orders, issued under provincial legislation,
are common across Canada in small and remote communities.
Who is responsible for issuing drinking water
advisories?
Environmental Health Officers recommend to Chief and Council that they
issue a drinking water advisory and if required, recommend the necessary
corrective action(s).
It is the responsibility of Chief and Council to actually issue a drinking
water advisory in the affected communities. Chief and Council are also
responsible for taking the necessary actions to communicate drinking
water advisories to residents and other appropriate stakeholders, and
to address the drinking water quality problem.
Health Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and other stakeholders
are available to provide advice and assistance. A 'do not drink' advisory
is issued by a Medical Officer under the authority of a provincial Public
Health Act.
Health Canada is working with First Nations leadership to help communities
improve their understanding of and responses to drinking water advisories,
and to help communities address the underlying problems that lead to
drinking water advisories.
What are the main reasons to issue a Boil Water
Advisory?
A Boil Water Advisory may be recommended by Health Canada as a result
of any of the following reasons:
- On evidence of conditions such as:
- Unacceptable levels of disease-causing bacteria, viruses or
parasites in the water system anywhere from the source to the tap;
and
- Unacceptable levels of turbidity.
These conditions can occur for many reasons, including:
- Inadequate filtration and /or disinfection during treatment;
and
- Re-contamination during distribution.
- Precautionary measure issued to residents in a specific area when
there is concern that microbiological contamination may exist, for
example, local emergency repairs in the distribution system.
How many First Nations communities are under
a Drinking Water Advisory?
The number of drinking water advisories in First Nations communities
across Canada fluctuates, as water quality is not static.
As of December 1st, 2006, there
were 85 communities under drinking water advisories in
First Nation communities across Canada.
The reasons why many First Nations communities are on long-term drinking
water advisories vary. Many First Nations communities face the same challenges
in providing safe drinking water as do other small, remote or isolated
communities, such as difficulties in finding and retaining qualified
water treatment plant operators.
Reasons for long-term drinking water advisories may also include community
decisions to lower or turn off the chlorinator because of community concerns
about the taste of chlorine in drinking water after treatment. The time
required to perform upgrades or replacements to a water facility in a
community may lead to a long-term drinking water advisory.
It should be noted that drinking water advisories are issued by provincial/territorial
governments in many non-First Nations communities across Canada, and
are most notable in communities that are small, remote and/or isolated.
Related links
|
