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

Preface

This short position paper outlines the elements of a multi-barrier approach which would help ensure Canadian drinking water supplies are kept clean, safe and reliable for generations to come. The multi-barrier approach recognizes the inter-relationship of health and environmental issues, and encourages the integration of efforts to improve public health with those that also protect the natural environment.

This paper was prepared for a general audience (i.e., government, citizens, and interested stakeholders) to communicate the concept of a multi-barrier approach to drinking water protection. It builds on the experiences of Canadian jurisdictions and serves as a template for the strategic alignment of Canadian Water Quality Guidelines, best management practices, research and monitoring with an integrated source to tap approach to drinking water protection.

A comprehensive technical supporting document will be prepared in the coming months to provide detailed guidance to assist Canadian authorities in implementing the approach. This approach is not meant to be prescriptive but rather should be adapted to reflect the specific needs of a community with regards to providing safe drinking water.

These two documents will provide the basis for the on-going integration of health and environmental issues related to drinking water quality and should set the stage for increased collaboration and information-sharing among jurisdictions.

Acknowledgements

This paper was written as a collaborative effort between a working group of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water (which reports to the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health) and a working group of the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment's Water Quality Task Group. Together, these groups represent the ministries of health and/or environment in every province and territory, as well as the departments of health and environment at the federal level.

For more information on water issues, please visit the following websites:

• Health Canada's water quality program: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/waterquality
• The Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment: www.ccme.ca

The working groups would like to thank Roberta Smith of Blue Lantern Communications for her invaluable assistance in preparing this document.