Ensuring that our drinking water is safe

 

The new Safe Drinking Water regulations introduced higher standards for drinking water for the public.  An increase in the number of routine tests has resulted in a corresponding increased number of adverse test results. In 2004 the Renfrew County and District Health Unit responded to 191 adverse water notifications. Most of these came from smaller facilities such as municipal halls, rural schools and restaurants. In most instances once remedial work was completed on the water system, the water was found to be safe for human consumption. 

 

In 2004 the Health Unit issued seven boil water orders to the owner or operator of a water system supplying water to members of the public.  An order is issued if test results indicate a potential to impact the health of the people who consume the water.

 

The Health Unit provided advice to 642 persons regarding their private wells, which provide their drinking water supply.   Many of these conversations dealt with how to correct structural problems with their wells, method of disinfecting their water supplies, as well as how to interpret their water sample results.

 

Twenty-four bathing beaches were tested on a weekly basis over the summer months. One beach was closed for a period of time due to high bacteria counts.