WATER

A Fresh Outlook on Water

With fully one third of the Earth’s fresh water within and along our borders, Ontario truly is a natural wonder to behold.

Some 250,000 fresh water lakes are found here, along with countless rivers and streams – not to mention a multitude of plants and animals that necessarily thrive in such lush surroundings.  This natural wealth is a blessing.  It’s the basis for our prosperity, our growth and our quality of life. 

But with great wealth, comes great responsibility.  All of us in Ontario have a role to play in protecting our fresh water. Our lives depend upon it as much as the air we breathe and the soil we till.

The government’s aim is to protect both our drinking water and our fresh water resources at large from pollution, whether it’s from industrial sources, sewage systems, chemicals in use at farms, or any other source – even rainwater containing particulates from polluted air.

Protecting water at its source is the first step in ensuring that every Ontarian has access to safe drinking water.  By stopping contaminants from getting into sources of drinking water — lakes, rivers and aquifers — we can provide the first line of defense in the protection of our environment and the health of Ontarians.

Drinking Water Ontario

Check out the Ministry of the Environment's new Drinking Water Ontario – your source for information about everything to do with Ontario's drinking water. Drinking Water Ontario is just one part of a comprehensive plan to ensure that Ontario's drinking water is clean and safe.

Drinking Water Ontario is a single point of access to a wealth of information and services about drinking water in Ontario. Choose the content that matters to you the most and access it whenever you want, all through one convenient, easy-to-use page. Drinking Water Ontario includes information for Ontarians, Municipal Owners and Operators, Students, Certified Operators, Drinking Water Testing Laboratories and Private Well Owners.

Other Current Water Issues and Initiatives

Great Lakes and Inland Lakes

• 2007 - 2008 Guide To Eating Ontario Sport Fish
• The Great Lakes
• The Lake Partner Program
• Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs)

Water and Sewage Treatment

• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Handbook
• Ontario Wastewater Systems Licensing of Sewage Works Operators Regulation [HTML]
• Septic Systems and Hauled Sewage Regulation Changes (June 1998)

Compliance

• Adverse Drinking Water Quality Incidents Reports
• Environmental Compliance Reports
• Sector Compliance Branch

General

• Permits to Take Water
• Certification and Training
• Certificates of Approval and Licensing
• Public Health Units, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
• Ontario Clean Water Agency
• Ontario Water Works Research Consortium

Information and Resources for Business

• Information About Municipal and Non-Municipal Drinking Water System Certificates of Approval
• General Information and Resources for Business
• Drinking Water Systems Regulation O.Reg. 170/03
• Regulation for Non-Residential and Non-Municipal Seasonal Residential Systems that do not Serve Designated Facilities (O.Reg 252/05)
• Environmental Compliance Reports
• Sector Compliance Branch
• Ontario Drinking Water Advisory Council

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I learn more about my community’s water quality?

Click here for information about drinking water quality in your community:

What are some of the common threats to drinking water?

Most water contamination is the result of human activity. Agriculture, industry and urban development can all adversely affect the quality and quantity of our surface and groundwater.

Water contamination can happen in one of two ways.

“Point source pollution” enters the water system at a specific place from an identifiable source. This includes industrial discharges, oil and chemical spills, wastewater discharges from municipal sewage treatment plants and septic systems, or leaking storage tanks.

“Non-point source pollution” is caused when rain or snow runs over land and picks up natural and man-made pollutants before entering a body of water or an aquifer. Examples include agricultural runoff (manure, pesticides and fertilizers) and urban runoff from streets and sidewalks (oil, salt, pesticides, pet droppings, chemicals, litter).

Where can I get information about wells?

• You can get well records from the Ministry of the Environment. Call 1-888-396-WELL (9355).
• Who do I contact if I suspect my well water is contaminated? Contact your local public health unit.

Is bottled water safer than tap water?

According to the recent Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s annual report, Ontarians can be confident that the drinking water that comes out of our taps is of exceptionally high quality.  In addition to being clean and safe, drinking Ontario tap water has other benefits. It costs far less than the bottled variety.  It can be carried with you in reusable bottles and safe beverage containers.  And fewer plastic drinking bottles means less waste.

Click here for more information about bottled water.

Where can I get information about applying for a Permit To Take Water?

Click here for the guide on applying for a Permit To Take Water

Where can I get groundwater maps?

For information on groundwater monitoring programs please call the Ministry of Environment at 416-235-6371 or 416-235-6187, 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Monday to Friday (response provided by EMRB)

Where can I get information about drinking water regulations?

The Drinking Water Systems Regulation (O. Reg. 170/03) applies to municipal and private water systems that provide water to year-round residences and designated facilities such as children’s camps, child and youth care facilities, health care and social care facilities, schools, universities and colleges.

OntarioRegulation 252/05 applies to non-residential and non-municipal seasonal residential systems that do not serve designated facilities. 
If you need help determining which regulation applies to your drinking water system, please call the Ministry of the Environment at 1-866-793-2588, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Where are the laboratories that test drinking water in my area?

View the list of labs licensed to perform drinking water testing.