Canada – Ontario

Ontario Drinking Water Still Among the Best Protected

2014-15 Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Annual Report

Ontario's drinking water remains among the best protected in the world, according to the 2014-15 Chief Drinking Water Inspector's Annual Report.

The Chief Drinking Water Inspector's report includes a summary of information and performance results for municipal drinking water systems and notes that, in 2014-2015: 99.8% of more than 533,000 test results from municipal residential drinking water systems met Ontario's rigorous, health-based drinking water standards. These municipal residential drinking water systems serve more than 80% of Ontario's population; 99.4% of municipal residential drinking water systems received an inspection rating greater than 80%. Inspection ratings show how well the systems are operating and meeting Ontario's strict regulations; 99.6% of drinking water tests from systems serving designated facilities such as daycares, schools or health care centres met Ontario's drinking water quality standards.

The province also released the Minister's Annual Report on Drinking Water which showcases actions the province and its partners are taking to protect sources of drinking water, including the Great Lakes. It also highlights how the province's actions in the fight against climate change will ensure that Ontarians will continue to have access to clean and safe water now and in the future.

Protecting the province's clean drinking water while fighting climate change is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Almost 60 per cent of Ontarians get their drinking water from the Great Lakes and 95% of Ontario's agricultural lands are found in the Great Lakes-St-Lawrence River Basin. In 2014-2015, all 662 municipal residential drinking water systems were inspected by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change in Ontario; As of March 31, 2015, Ontario had 6,388 certified drinking water operators.

Environnement Ontario