What percentage of Canadians rely on private water supplies?
An estimated 25% percent of Canadians, living primarily in rural areas, rely on private wells, cisterns or other sources for their drinking water. It must be emphasized that these individuals have the sole responsibility for ensuring the safety of their water supply. The most important concern for safe water in these systems is microbiological safety since the presence of a microbiological risk can and will have an immediate acute effect on those who consume the water. Chemical contamination problems do occur and frequently while of concern, the condition is not normally of an acute health concern. Exceptions may be when there is a chemical transport accident in the vicinity, or there is or has been excessive or inappropriate use of fertilizers or pesticides.
