Water Quality Testing. Source: MegarhyssaThe provincial and territorial governments have the primary responsibility for managing and protecting water quality, including the provision and regulation of drinking water and wastewater services. The federal government is responsible for ensuring the safety of drinking water within areas of federal jurisdiction, such as national parks and Aboriginal reserves. It also plays a significant role in protecting water quality by regulating toxic substances, conducting water quality research, and promoting pollution prevention.

Perhaps the most significant advance in water quality management that has evolved over the last few decades is the gradual replacement of resource and sector management approaches by more integrated ecosystem and watershed approaches in dealing with environmental issues. Complementing these approaches is the recent adoption by governments of the source to tap, multi-barrier approach to protecting drinking water for Canadians. The multi-barrier approach highlights the importance of protecting the lakes, rivers and aquifers which are the sources of our drinking water, as well as ensuring effective treatment and distribution systems.

Sourced from the Council of Canadian Ministers of the Environment's Source to Tap: Canada

TrilliumWater is necessary for all life to exist and flourish. It is a central component of our natural environment, our economy, our culture, and our social well-being. We must protect and manage water quality in the environment for more than just our own use, so that we can continue to have a healthy environment.

The key laws for environmental water quality management, at the federal level, are the Canada Water Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Drinking WaterThe federal government in responsible for drinking water quality on federal lands, and for providing scientific advice about contaminants in drinking water. The provinces (and the Yukon territory) and municipal governments are responsible for drinking water quality in general.  This includes ensuring that municipal treatment plants produce safe drinking water, and protecting the quality of source water. The provinces and territory use the Drink Water Quality guidelines as a basis for establishing their own guidelines, objectives, standards and regulations.

Although their roles vary from province to province, municipal governments are generally responsible for owning and operating water supply systems and for providing safe, clean water to their citizens.

Adapted from Pollution Probe's Drinking Water Primer

In Canada, all levels of government share certain responsibilities for monitoring and managing municipal wastewater. Together they are in charge of wastewater collection, treatment, testing, and facility performance.

Municipal Responsibilities

Municipal governments have a mandate to provide sewage treatment, and are responsible for regulating and operating sewage facilities. Therefore, they have the most direct responsibility for wastewater. They have statutory control over discharges into sewers and must ensure their facilities meet provincial and federal pollution standards. Many municipal governments have used their statutory power to pass sewer use by-laws for the improved management at source and the reduction of effluent toxicity. The bylaws generally state acceptable pollutant concentrations for wastewater releases and prohibit specific wastes from being discharged.