How do the various levels of government in Newfoundland and Labrador ensure the safety of drinking water?
Both provincial and municipal governments have some level of responsibility in ensuring the safety of Newfoundland and Labrador’s drinking water. The provincial government, in cooperation with municipal governments protects source water quality through the watershed protection program. Under a partnership program with municipal governments, the provincial government monitors drinking water quality on a regular basis in order to ensure compliance with the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and to deal with emerging issues on a pro-active basis. The Department of Environment provide the drinking water quality data along with a brief interpretation to municipal governments on a regular basis. The Department is an active member of the Federal-Provincial Subcommittee on Drinking Water (DWS) which is responsible for the development of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
