From Source To Tap - The Multi-Barrier Approach To Safe Drinking Water

Future Directions

The provision of drinking water is made up of multiple stages or processes. A multi-barrier approach to the protection, production and distribution of drinking water takes local conditions and challenges into account while offering an integrated system of procedures, processes and tools to reduce the risk of, or prevent, contamination. To be effective, its implementation requires the commitment and co-operation of a wide range of stakeholders-from elected officials and government employees, to members of the water industry and the public.

The successful use of similar approaches elsewhere in the world validates the endorsement of a national multi-barrier approach. In fact, in some international and provincial jurisdictions, similar approaches have already been incorporated into legislation to protect water supplies from source to tap.

A comprehensive supporting document, to be developed over the coming months, will provide more details about the multi-barrier approach and offer guidance to Canadian authorities on how it could be implemented in Canadian communities.