Drinking Water Quality
Amendments to the Drinking Water Protection Regulation
The Drinking Water Protection Regulation was amended on December 9, 2005 to meet the needs of small water systems in the province and address other outstanding and general regulatory changes.
Amendments Particular to Small Water Systems
- New definition of "small system": water supply system that serves up to 500 individuals during any 24-hour period, including:
- residential, industrial, commercial and institutional systems;
- transient work camps;
- permanent work camps;
- bulk water haulers;
- road-side rest stops;
- stand-alone public bathrooms; and (but not limited to)
- campgrounds.
- Allowance for "point-of-use" potability technology.
- Discretionary authority of drinking water officers, guided by the Drinking Water Officers’ Guide (PDF 602K) to:
- determine certification requirements for small system operators; and
- waive requirement for construction permits.
- Small systems that do not provide water for consumption or food preparation are not subject to the same potability requirements.
- Provision allows for "flexible" application of the regulation by treating small water systems differently from other systems and allowing discretion to be applied on a "case-by-case" basis.
- Application of "discretionary" provisions will be guided by the Drinking Water Officers’ Guide (PDF 602K).
General Regulatory Changes
- Clarify that “building systems” connected to a regulated water supply system and covered by the B.C. Plumbing Code do not require additional permitting or operator certification.
- Clarify that the water supply owner is the party that is obligated to carry out disinfection of water supplies.
- Allow drinking-water-officer-approved professional engineers to issue construction permits for water systems.
- Require that laboratories (at the request of a drinking water officer) report all water samples received and the results of testing to the drinking water officer and/or the water supply system owner.
- Allow an uncertified specialist to maintain or repair a water supply system, provided he/she does so in accordance with procedures approved by a certified individual.
- Requirement for both total coliform and Escherichia coli testing.
- Clarify that bottled water manufacturers and bulk water dispensing machines are excluded from the requirements of the Drinking Water Protection Act. They will remain subject to the Food Premises Regulation under the Health Act and the federal Food and Drug Regulations (Division 12).
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