Drinking Water Program

New Drinking Water Legislation Now in Force

The Drinking Water Program provides expert advice to Health Authorities, and develops legislation, guidelines and policies on drinking water.

Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia

A safe and dependable supply of drinking water is critical for the health of all British Columbians, now and in the future. To deliver on its commitment, the provincial government has consulted across jurisdictions and ministries to establish a comprehensive framework for the protection of drinking water and public health. Consultations with the public, water quality experts, and the managers of water supply and sources ensure the continued integrity of BC's network of private and public systems.

The Action Plan will ensure that:

• leadership and accountability exist in the drinking water system;

• drinking water is protected from source to tap in the most effective manner possible;

• small drinking water systems have adequate checks and balances to ensure ongoing quality and supply; and,

• the system produces safe and affordable drinking water.

British Columbia is committed to improving and protecting the province's drinking water system.

New Drinking Water Legislation Now in Force

The amended Drinking Water Protection Act and regulations came into force on May 16, 2003, replacing the Safe Drinking Water Regulation under the Health Act. These new measures governing drinking water from “source to tap” will better protect the health and safety of British Columbians.

Update: Tougher Rules Safeguard Province’s Drinking Water

Drinking Water Protection Act

Drinking Water Protection Regulation

Drinking Water Speech - April 28, 2003 (PDF 36Kb)

Letter To All Drinking Water Suppliers In B.C.(PDF 21.9KB)

The Drinking Water Protection Regulation has been amended (PDF 31.7KB) to defer certification requirements for operators of small water supply systems. A letter to drinking water officers (PDF 42.8KB) further explains this change.

The Drinking Water Protection Act requires water suppliers to have microbiological samples analysed by a laboratory which has been approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

List of Approved Drinking Water Testing Laboratories

Drinking Water Protection Act Compliance Tools

Drinking Water Source-to-Tap Screening Tool

Other Information on Drinking Water

Guide for Drinking Water Officers:
Drinking Water Officers' Guide (PDF 438Kb)

White Paper:
Drinking Water Protection Act - White Paper on Draft Regulations (April 2003)

Action Plan:
Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia (2002) 

Opinion-Editorial:
Safe Drinking Water Vital for B.C. Communities (June 21, 2002)

News Release:
New Action Plan to Deliver Safer Drinking Water (June 19, 2002)

Backgrounder:
Ensuring Safe Drinking Water (June 19, 2002)

Transcript:
Open Cabinet Meeting (June 19, 2002)

Presentation to Cabinet:
Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in B.C. (June 19, 2002) (PDF 23K)

Cabinet Submission:
Safe Drinking Water (June 19, 2002) (PDF 60K)

News Release:
Drinking Water Review Panel Releases Final Report (February 13, 2002)(PDF 23K)
Backgrounder (PDF 40K)

News Release:
Drinking Water Legislation to Be Reviewed (September 25, 2001; Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection)

The lessons of other provinces and the recommendations of recent, independent reviews are also key considerations for safeguarding water quality and strengthening protection measures. Recent reviews include:

• Drinking Water Review Panel's Final Report: Panel Review of British Columbia's Drinking Water Protection Act (2002) (PDF 198K)
• Summary: Public Input to the Drinking Water Review Panel (PDF 210K)
• Provincial Health Officer's report, Drinking Water Quality in British Columbia: The Public Health Perspective (2002)
• British Columbia Auditor General's report, Protecting Drinking Water Sources (1999)

Information on Drinking Water

Publications on Drinking Water

Health Files on Drinking Water

Services

Environmental Health Protection Programs are administered locally by Medical Health Officers and Environmental Health Officers, who are responsible for direct service delivery in BC's Health Authorities.

Medical Health Officers and Environmental Health Officers provide surveillance and monitoring of activities and premises which may affect the public's health. They also administer and enforce provincial legislation related to environmental health, and provide interventions to minimize health and safety hazards.

For more information on services in your community, look in the blue pages of your local telephone directory under public or community health, or view a list of Health Authorities.

Contact Information:

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