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News Release
For immediate release
March 22, 2005
ONTARIO RECEIVES REPORT ON SMALLER, PRIVATE DRINKING WATER
SYSTEMS
Government Will Consider Recommendations Of Advisory Council
TORONTO - Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky today thanked the Advisory
Council on Drinking Water Quality and Testing Standards as she received its final
report on requirements for smaller, private drinking water systems. The report’s
recommendations propose a framework for managing those systems.
“I want to thank the council for its efforts in developing this report,” said
Dombrowsky. “We will carefully consider the council’s advice, as well as the input
we have received from municipalities and owners of private systems. Our goal is
to develop a more workable approach that ensures a high level of public health
protection.”
The advisory council held 12 public consultation sessions in smaller communities
across the province. The council has recommended a new way of regulating water
systems for facilities such as churches, community halls, bed and breakfasts and
tourist outfitters. Key recommendations include providing public health units
with responsibility for inspecting these systems, and case-by-case risk evaluations
to establish testing and treatment requirements.
“We consulted extensively with drinking water experts and with system owners
and operators across the province," Dombrowsky said. “Clean water is essential
to the health of all Ontarians. We remain committed to protecting Ontario’s drinking
water in accordance with the recommendations of the Walkerton Inquiry.”
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| Contacts: |
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Art Chamberlain
Minister’s Office
(416) 314-5139
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John Steele
Ministry of the Environment
(416) 314-6666 |
See also:
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