Clean Drinking Water. Source: TsjaDrinking water quality standards across the country are based on the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, which were produced by a joint Federal/Provincial/Territorial subcommittee on drinking water.

The guidelines recommend limits for the presence of substances and the conditions known to affect drinking water quality. There are also guidelines that refer to the aesthetic quality of drinking water to ensure that it does not have an unpleasant appearance, taste or odour.

Responsibility for providing water and wastewater services to First Nations is shared among Band Councils, Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. First Nations Band Councils have primary responsibility for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water and wastewater systems. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provide funding to assist with the provision of water and wastewater services within reserve communities. Health Canada works in partnership with First Nations communities to monitor drinking water quality.

Water is a precious natural resource in Ontario, unfortunately incidents of water contamination in Walkerton and North Battleford have shown how damaging the consequences can be if we do not protect our water resources.
In the past, emphasis has been placed on treating water to ensure it is safe to drink. Yet, as treatment and infrastructure renewal costs rise and unfortunate cases of drinking water contamination occur, much more can be done to protect drinking water sources through a multi-barrier approach. By taking a preventative approach, water source can be protected before they become contaminated.

Water Towers, QuebecEssential to life, a source for various human activities and an essential component for the habitat of numerous animal and plant species, water is a heritage element of great value as well as a major economic asset for Québec.

About 80% of the population in Québec is supplied from surface water reserves, and groundwater is used to satisfy the needs of about 1.5 million people, half of whom are supplied by means of private wells.

It is mainly surface water that must be treated to meet drinking water standards. Drinking water treatment facilities include chlorination plants, complete treatment system plants and specific treatment process plants. Québec has a total of 534 drinking water treatment facilities, serving 76% of its population. Most of these facilities are adequately maintained and are generally considered to be in good condition.