New legislation that affects Small Drinking Water Systems in Ontario came into effect December 1, 2008.  This legislation transferred responsibility from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) and Health Units.

Under this new program, a Public Health Inspector from the Northwestern Health Unit will conduct an on-site assessment of each small drinking water system in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.  Based on this assessment, the Public Health Inspector will determine what must be done to help keep the drinking water safe.  This may include water testing, treatment or training.

How will you know if you are a Small Drinking Water System Operator?

• If your business makes drinking water available to the public, and you do NOT get your drinking water from a municipal drinking water system, you may be the owner or operator of a "small drinking water system."
• Small drinking water systems can include restaurants, seasonal trailer parks, summer camps, community centres, libraries, gas stations, motels, churches and many other public facilities not served by municipal water.

How to Register your Small Drinking Water System

A Public Health Inspector working at the Northwestern Health Unit can tell you if your drinking water system falls under O. Reg. 318/08 or O. Reg. 319/08.  If so, they will tell you how to get your system registered.

For more information, visit these websites:

• Small Drinking Water Systems, MOHLTC
• Resources and Forms, MOHLTC
• Water Well Individual Record Search Request - Form A, MOE