What is the new Small Drinking Water Systems (SDWS) Program?
Effective December 1, 2008, small drinking water systems have been transferred from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). They are now governed by two new regulations under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA): • Ontario Regulation 318/08 (Transitional – Small Drinking Water Systems) and; • Ontario Regulation 319/08 (Small Drinking Water Systems). The new program is now administered by local boards of health. Public health inspectors (PHI) will conduct a site-specific risk assessment for every small drinking water system in the province. Based on the assessment, they will determine what owners and operators must do to keep their drinking water safe, and will issue a directive for the system. The directive may include requirements for water testing, treatment options or training. This reflects a customized approach for each small drinking water system depending on the level of risk.
