Water quality objectives and guidelines
In Canada, governments use various measures to protect water quality, among them guidelines and objectives. The two measures are similar in that both describe how much of a substance we, as a society, will tolerate in water. But guidelines and objectives are arrived at and applied differently.
Water quality guidelines are scientifically determined and indicate the maximum allowable concentration of substances for a particular water use such as livestock watering or swimming. These national guidelines serve as the targets for environmental protection.
Water quality objectives, on the other hand, specify the concentrations of substances permissible for all intended water uses at a specific location on a lake, river, or estuary. The objectives are based on the water quality guidelines for the uses at that location, as well as on public input and socio-economic considerations.
Water quality guidelines and objectives not only protect water users and the environment, they also promote sustainable water management strategies.
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