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Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water: Forty-seventh Meeting November 3 - 4, 2010 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Minutes

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Table of Contents

Members Present:

  • Ms. J. MacDonald, Nova Scotia - Chair
  • Ms. P. Brooks, Yukon
  • Ms. C. Robert, Quebec - Vice Chair
  • Mr. S. Ferris, Saskatchewan
  • Mr. B. Boettger, British Columbia (phone)
  • Mr. H. Khan, Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Dr. S. Deshpande, Ontario
  • Dr. D. Reid, Alberta
  • Mr. D. Fleming, Northwest Territories
  • Mr. G. Somers, Prince Edward Island
  • Ms. K. Philip, Manitoba
  • Ms. K. White, New Brunswick
  • Dr. J. Cooper, Health Canada
  • Ms. S. Roe, Environment Canada (phone)

Secretariat:

  • Mr. R. Carrier, Health Canada
  • Ms. M. Giddings, Health Canada
  • Ms. F. Lemieux, Health Canada
  • Ms. S. McFadyen, Health Canada
  • Ms. V. Morisset, Health Canada
  • Ms. R. Smith, Contractor (Reporter)
  • Dr. A-M Tugulea, Health Canada
  • Ms. A. Vézina, Health Canada (Secretary)
  • Water Quality Staff, Health Canada

Observers

  • Ms. S. Cadorette, SCC
  • Mr. F. Difolco, CSA
  • Mr. J. Dingman, UL
  • Mr. L. Gibson, QAI
  • Ms. J. Jackson, CWWA
  • Mr. E. Ho, IAMPO
  • Ms. V. Marshall, Health Canada (phone)
  • Mr. P. Reimer, NSF International
  • Ms. T. Shammo, WQA

Regrets:

  • Dr. J. Chen, Health Canada (RHAD)
  • Ms. K. Taracha, Health Canada (FNIHB)
  • Mr. P. Workman, Nunavut
  • Ms. D. Fournier, Health Canada (HPFB)
  • Mr. D. Bennitz, Health Canada (EHB)

1. Opening

The Chair welcomed everyone to Saskatoon for the 47th meeting. The Secretary gave administrative and logistical details. The new CDW member for Newfoundland and Labrador introduced himself.

Decision/Action:

  • Members to provide travel claims by December 31, 2010.

2 Agenda/Meeting

2-A Adoption of Agenda

The Secretary made a small modification to the agenda.

Decision/Action:

  • Members adopted the revised agenda by consensus.

2-B Approval of Minutes

Members clarified a few minor items.

Decision/Action:

  • Members adopted the minutes from the last meeting by consensus.

2-C CDW Record of Decision

The record of decision was updated after the last meeting.

Decision/Action:

  • Secretary to update the Record of Decision after this meeting.

2-D CDW Status Report

The Secretary gave a presentation on the status of the list of guidelines under development and an overview of the spreadsheet.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

2-E Priority list

The Secretary presented the current priority list. Members discussed manganese and microcystins.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

3 Parameters: Microbiological

3-A Viruses

The Secretariat gave a presentation on the virus document. Members discussed source waters contaminated by human versus animal faeces; log inactivations of viruses; how to determine whether water sources are "vulnerable" to viruses; the use of the term "established" versus "accredited" laboratories; the need to differentiate between septic tanks and septic fields; the use of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in determining the guideline. Members also discussed adenovirus and whether the document should include specific guidance about targeting a specific virus with treatment. The Secretariat clarified that a general summary of consultation comments will be published.

Decision/Action:

  • On request, detailed information sent to consultation participants can be provided to members without the respondent's personal information. Secretariat to send one response to D.Reid.
  • Secretariat to make revisions to the guideline document requested by members.
  • Secretariat to send revised document with highlighted changes to members.
  • Members to review the changes in the document by email.

3-B Bacteriological - E.coli

The Secretariat gave a presentation on the E. coli document and an overview of peer review comments. Members discussed: the need to consider enterococci during the next update; treatment and analytical methods; the value of presence/absence tests and quality control concerns; raw water quality sampling; the multi-barrier approach; laboratory reporting of all or only positive results; sampling considerations for small systems; and the need for consistent use of terms in the document. Members noted that source water sampling and QMRA could inform a separate microbiological document that is not a guideline and that looks to the future.

Decision/Action:

  • The Secretariat to add laboratories to the statement about notification of positive results.
  • During the public consultation, members to discuss in their jurisdiction the relative merits of presence/absence methods versus quantitative methods.
  • The Secretariat to schedule a meeting for the working group on bacteriological sampling for small systems to discuss sampling.
  • The Secretariat to send out an email with list of who is on the two small systems working groups.
  • Members agreed to go forward with enzyme-based methods are 'recommended' and see what feedback comes back.
  • Members approved the E. coli document for public consultation.

3-C Bacteriological - Total Coliforms

The Secretariat gave a presentation on the peer review comments. Members discussed sampling periods and frequencies; investigating positive samples; educating drinking water officers; monitoring in the distribution system; and the need to include membrane substrate tests.

Decision/Action:

  • The Secretariat will make sure the text is consistent with the protozoa document.
  • The Secretariat to look into the ideal temperature for sample collection and transportation.
  • Members approved the document for public consultation in principle. The Secretariat to make changes and circulate the document for final approval.

3-D Other Microbiological

The Secretariat is developing the overarching document on microbiological considerations related to drinking water. The Secretariat continues to work on the QMRA model and to share it with cities across the country. The HPC and protozoa documents are in the publication process, and the recreational water quality guidelines are caught up in approvals. The bacterial waterborne pathogens document is under review. The indoor air group at Health Canada is reviewing legionella. The Secretariat continues to work on the boil water advisory document.

Decision/Action:

  • Secretariat to provide members with a summary of the findings related to showering in water contaminated with E. coli by late 2011.

4 Parameters: Chemical & Radiological

4-A Microcystin LR and others

The Secretariat gave a presentation on the microcystins guideline. Members discussed monitoring data; which microcystins are the most prevalent; the equivalent toxicity (TEF) approach; strategies for managing blooms; cyanobacterial toxins concentrating in filters and sand media within the treatment plant; and treatment considerations.

Decision/Action:

  • M.Giddings to send members the link to the IARC monograph on cyanobacteria.
  • C.Robert, D.Reid and M.Giddings to review new data and trends.
  • Members to send relevant data to Secretariat.

4-B DCM

The Secretariat gave a presentation on the guideline's status and reviewed comments received during the consultation process. The MAC has been recalculated at 0.05 mg/L following the consultation. Members discussed monitoring and sample analysis; the non-cancer risk assessment; and concerns with spills.

Decision/Action:

  • Members approved the guideline with a MAC of 0.05 mg/L.
  • The Secretariat to send members the final formatted document.

4-C Fluoride

The Secretariat gave a presentation on the fluoride document and the public consultation. Members discussed potential health effects and benefits to having fluoride in the water.

Decision/Action:

  • Members approved the document.

4-D NDMA

The Secretariat gave an update on the NDMA guideline and the public consultation comments. Members discussed appending the biostatistics report to the document; monitoring; sampling in the distribution system; and the route of exposure for animals.

Decision/Action:

  • Secretariat to reword text surrounding potent carcinogen throughout the document.
  • Members approved the document in principle.

4-E Lead

The Secretariat gave a brief update on the lead toxicity document.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

4-F Other Chemical/Radiological

Members discussed a recent study on manganese, including consumer acceptance of drinking water with high concentrations of manganese; using IQ as a measure of a health effect; results coming out of Europe; food exposure; the timeline for updating the manganese guideline; homeowner communication; and exposure data. The Secretariat is working on guidelines for tetrachloroethylene, ammonia, and nitrate/nitrite. It is also reviewing allocation factors. The Secretariat gave an update on the water consumption and body weight results from the Statistics Canada survey. Other jurisdictions are seeing similar trends but keeping their numbers the same. The Secretariat is keeping the same numbers as before to ensure the guideline values remain protective. Members discussed uranium, specifically regarding the disposal of uranium as a waste product from treatment plants. Members also discussed methods for testing for total metals.

Decision/Action:

Manganese
  • D.Reid to share Alberta's communication plan when available.
  • Secretariat to request data from members.
  • Secretariat to circulate the existing guidance value document.
Tetrachloroethylene
  • M.Giddings to follow up with EPA regarding the basis for their risk assessment approach.
Drinking Water Consumption
  • Secretariat to review and incorporate comments from internal consultations.
  • Secretariat to circulate the rationale for keeping status quo once it is finalized.
Uranium
  • Secretariat to follow-up with the Radiation Protection Bureau regarding uranium disposal.
Testing for total metals
  • Health Canada laboratory to look at the data by the end of January.
  • Secretariat to add testing total metals to the Quick Reference Table.

5 Old/New Business

5-A National Drinking Water Conference

The representative for CWWA noted that the conference went very smoothly. The logistics and venue were ideal and the content was well received. Members thanked the conference organizers and noted that the technical part of the conference was very good this year. Members discussed timing of the CDW meetings in relation to conference dates, as well as locations for future conferences.

Decision/Action:

  • J.Jackson to prepare a written report on the conference with the financials once they are available.
  • Secretary to send an email to the group with a proposal for location so the venue can be booked far enough in advance.

5-B National Surveys

The representative from the Health Canada laboratory gave a presentation on the National Survey of DBPs and selected emerging contaminants. Members discussed communication considerations with the survey data.

Decision/Action:

  • Members to let A-M.Tugulea know if they have sites with high levels of sodium, boron and the presence of ammonia.
  • Secretariat to review the communications process regarding the data from the DBPs survey and communicate with members.
  • Members are keen to have a communications package for the survey results in order to be prepared.

5-C Unanticipated Contamination

Members discussed concerns regarding potential tampering events.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

5-D Evaluation of Field Test Kits for Cyanobacterial Toxins

The Secretariat gave a presentation on the field test kit. Members discussed its use; literacy requirements and challenges; the type of results seen; the use of the kit as a screening tool; and costs.

Decision/Action:

  • Secretariat to update the WaterTalk with information about the need for training in the use of the kits and to interpret the results. Secretariat to circulate the WaterTalk to members for their information prior to publication.

5-E CDW Stuff

Members discussed the update of the terms of reference to include criteria for guests to the CDW meetings, and CDW internal communications.

Decision/Action:

Terms of reference:
  • Members agreed that the conference is the venue for presentations.
  • Secretariat to start updating terms of reference.
  • Secretariat to add topic to the agenda for the next meeting.
  • Members agreed that for the time being, presentations from outside groups will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

6 Secretariat Reports

6-A Guideline Edition Booklet

The Secretariat continues to work on the next edition of the Guideline Booklet.

Decision/Action:

  • Secretariat to circulate next draft as soon as possible.

6-B Quick Reference Table

The Secretariat continues to develop a comprehensive reference table for the drinking water guidelines for member use.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

6-C Summary Table

The Secretariat is updating the summary table for the drinking water guidelines. Members provided feedback on draft table.

Decision/Action:

  • The Secretariat to update the existing summary table on the website while the new table is under development.

6-D Monitoring Framework

The Secretariat is making progress on the monitoring framework.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

6-E Small Systems

The Secretariat updated members on work related to small systems: risk assessment tool, remote monitoring, case studies, and CNPHI. Members discussed threats to SCADA systems from eworms/viruses; the volume of data that can be handled by the CNPHI site; reporting; and data entry challenges.

Decision/Action:

  • Secretariat to clarify whether data storage is or will be included in the module.

6-F Other Bureau Projects

Most topics were covered in other sections.

Decision/Action:

  • For information

6-G Secretariat Reports

The Secretariat gave a report from the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

7 Committee Liaison Reports

7-A PTSPC/CACP Report

The Secretariat gave an overview of the PTSPC report on the plumbing codes and the recent CACP meeting.

Decision/Action:

  • F.Lemieux to send members link to on-line plumbing inspector training.

7-B Certification Body Reports

Representatives from the certification bodies gave short overviews of their reports, summarised by the Secretariat. A presentation was delivered on the Standards Council of Canada and its work over the past year. Members discussed water cistern standards; treatment units for rural areas; the lead reduction standard and the need to replace lead with something robust.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

7-C WHO Report

The next WHO meeting is coming up in a month. WHO is finalizing the 4th edition of the guidelines. The next meeting will be looking forward on priorities for WHO guidelines and to develop the workplan for 2010 to 2015. Members discussed the radiological guidelines and upcoming meetings.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

7-D CCME Report

The representative from Environment Canada gave a brief update on CCME and Environment Canada activities related to water. Members discussed the climate change work and work being done at Waterloo.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

7-E CHE Report

V. Marshall gave an update on CHE activities and priorities. CHE is in a period of uncertainty. Members discussed the structure of CHE.

Decision/Action:

  • For information.

8 Members' Reports

Each jurisdiction provided a report on its program and legislative activities, training and outreach programs, publications and current key issues.

Decision/Action:

  • K. Philip to send around an email to trigger suggestions regarding THMs.
  • F Lemieux to circulate links and information to members about bisphenol A in distribution system pipes.
  • Members to share information about training available for inspectors.
  • S.Ferris to provide J.MacDonald and C.Robert with links to Saskatchewan's new Act and draft codes if possible.
  • P.Brooks to send training package for operators to members.

9 Future Meetings

Decision/Action:

  • Next meetings:
    • Ottawa: May 4 - 6, 2011
    • Halifax: November 2-4, 2011
    • Ottawa: Spring 2012
  • Secretariat to confirm logistics of Spring 2011 meeting and make arrangements.
Date Modified: 2012-08-22

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