Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water - Thirty-First Meeting October 24-25, 2002, Ottawa, Ontario

6.0 Secretariat Reports

6.01 Monitoring-Guidelines-Publications

M.Giddings updated members on the latest postings to the website and what remains to be done. She noted changes have been made to the summary table and that the Secretariat is working on a 7th edition of the guidelines that will most likely be web-based. She will find out whether it is feasible to post comments received as part of the public consultation period in the language received. She noted that the World Health Organisation is revising its guidelines on a continuous rolling basis and aiming to post a consultation publication on this subject by December 2002. M.Giddings gave a summary on a report on drinking water issues in Canada prepared for the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Advisory Committee on Public Health.

Decision/Action:

• Secretary to modify website noting guidelines that are revised and clarify posting of comments.
• Secretariat to provide members with copy of ACPH report by November 8, 2002.
• M.Giddings to send copy of guideline development presentation to members by November 29, 2002.

6.02 Provincial/Territorial Topics (2001-10)

The Secretary walked members through the attachments in the agenda package and noted that electronic files are available for all listed topics.

Decision/Action:

• For future meetings, subject will be discussed under Item 6.01, Monitoring-Guidelines-Publications.

6.03 National Drinking Water Conference

D. Ellison noted that the next National Drinking Water Conference will be in Calgary, April 3 to 4 or 5, 2004. A technical committee and the theme of the conference needs to be established. CWWA recommends the CDW meet on the Thursday-Friday prior to the conference.

Decision/Action:

• W.Robertson and K.Chinniah to establish technical committee and hold initial meeting to determine conference theme and session topics by January 6, 2003.

6.04 CDW Priority List

M. Giddings walked members through the process for prioritizing and reviewing current guidelines. Some parameters may be dropped completely (e.g. some pesticides). The rating system used to review the listings will need to be explained to members once it has been finalized. M.Giddings noted that 1-,4-dioxane may be a concern and explained why. Methodologies for looking for this substance exist. The Secretariat will need monitoring data in order to determine whether the substance is a concern in Canada. It may be added to the priority list for review. Radiological substances are being fully reviewed.

Decision/Action:

• M.Giddings will send members a summary of available information on 1,4-dioxane by November 29, 2002.
• Secretary to provide members with lists of substances for which it requires exposure data, as these lists become available, but before January 6, 2003.
• Secretary to provide members with priority list by March 21, 2003.