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 November 16, 2007,
there were 100 First Nations communities across
Canada under a Drinking Water Advisory.
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.
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