Guidance For Providing Safe Drinking Water in Areas of Federal Jurisdiction - Version 1

Part 2 - Application of The Federal Framework

8.0 Information and Resources

A number of federal programs and documents exist to support departments in carrying out their duties related to drinking water issues.

8.1 Health Canada's Water Quality and Health Bureau

Health Canada's Water Quality and Health Bureau plays a key role in the safety of drinking water by publishing the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (Guidelines) and leading their development. The Bureau develops the health risk assessments for microbiological and chemical contaminants of drinking water. The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water (Committee) then uses these assessments to establish the Guidelines. The Bureau coordinates the activities of this committee, and is the federal voting member.

The Bureau also plays a coordinating role at the federal level, to help ensure a consistent federal approach to drinking water quality.

8.2 Health Canada's Workplace Health and Public Safety Programme

Two Bureaus within WHPSP provide assistance to federal departments to provide safe drinking water for federal employees.

8.2.1 Public Health

1. The Public Health Bureau's Federal Drinking Water Compliance Program assists federal departments to demonstrate due diligence in protecting human health from risks related to drinking water. The program is responsible for:
   • Disseminating information to assist departments to remain current with best practices, new technical developments, research, training, etc. for drinking water management systems
   • Developing partnerships and alliances with and among federal departments, agencies and non government organizations to foster sharing of best practices in the management of drinking water systems.
   • Developing tools for federal departments to facilitate the implementation of appropriate drinking water management practices.
2. The Public Health Bureau, through its Environmental Health Officers located in the regions, provides routine services including advice, consultation and inspection services to federal departments on the day-to-day management of their drinking water systems. Services include water sampling, interpretation of sampling results, and recommendations on preventive measures related to drinking water systems. Services are provided on a cost recovery basis.

8.2.2 Operations Bureau

Regional staff provide emergency services related to drinking water systems to departments upon request. They provide advice, consultation and worksite investigations for physical, chemical and biological hazards associated with drinking water systems. Services may include water sampling, analysis and interpretation of sample results, investigations of drinking water related incidents and recommendations on corrective actions.

8.3 Infraguide

A series of how-to manuals is being developed by the National Research Council, in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, called InfraGuide. These manuals address innovations and best practices related to drinking water quality, including treatment and distribution systems. Further information can be found at http://www.infraguide.ca