Healthy Community Environment

Health Protection

CRITERIA FOR DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS HANDOUT

The Ministry of Transportation and local governments refer subdivision applications to Interior
Health Authority for comments regarding drinking water supply. Evaluation and
recommendations are based health legislation and policy.
DRINKING WATER CATEGORIES
For the purposes of Interior Health subdivision guidelines, the three categories of domestic water
systems are:
a) Private System one connection serving a single family residence
b) Small System a water supply system that serves up to 500 individuals during any
24 hour period
c) Water Supply System Serving > 500 Population - two or more connections
serving a population greater than 500
a) Private System (one connection serving a single family dwelling)
The existing or proposed water source (i.e. intake or well location) must be shown on a
plan and submitted to the Public Health Inspector/Drinking Water Officer. Water sources
should be located so they are not subject to contamination.
It is recommended that surface water supplies (lakes, streams, creeks) and shallow wells be
filtered and disinfected. Note - developers choosing to utilize a surface supply are required
to obtain a water license from the Ministry of Environment Water Stewardship Division.
Interior Health will not provide comment on potability issues related to a single family
connection. It is recommended that a restrictive covenant be placed on the land title that
advises consumers of the potential health risks associated with consuming untreated
surface water.
A restrictive covenant is recommended advising that consumers obtain both a
bacteriological and chemical analysis of the water for comparison to the Guidelines for
Canadian Drinking Water Quality. See the attachment Should I Get My Drinking Water
Tested?
Developers should ensure that any proposed well be capable of providing a quantity of
water suitable for the intended purpose as prescribed by local government bylaw. The
Ministry of Environment Water Act, Ground Water Protection Regulation requires that all
water wells be constructed by or under the direct supervision of a qualified well driller in
accordance with the regulation.
b) Small System
(A water supply system that serves up to 500 individuals during any 24 hour period)

The existing or proposed water source (i.e. intake or well location) and distribution system
must be shown on a plan and submitted to the Public Health Inspector/Drinking Water
Officer.
The water supply system must meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Protection Act
and Regulation although these may vary according to amendments to the legislation and
the discretion of the Public Health Inspector, Drinking Water Officer and Public Health

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Engineer. Applications for construction and operating permits will be required. Please
contact your local Public Health Inspector or Public Health Engineer.

c) Water Supply System > 500 Population

(Two or more connections serving a population greater than 500)
Approval requirements for water supply systems will vary according to the amendments to the
Drinking Water Protection Act and Regulation as well as the discretion of the Drinking Water
Officer or Public Health Engineer. In general there are three steps required for approval.
Step 1 - Source Approval
The water source will be assessed by the Public Health Inspector/Drinking Water Officer for
approval. Detailed information on the quality and quantity of water can be required. Water
quality will be assessed using Health Canadas Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water
Quality. Disinfection of surface and well distribution systems can be required and additional
treatment may be necessary for high risk water supplies. A source water risk assessment may
be required.
Step 2 - Construction Permit
Plans and specifications for the proposed water supply system are to be designed by a
professional engineer licensed to practice in the Province of British Columbia and submitted
to the Public Health Engineer for approval. The developer must create a legal entity (e.g.
utility, corporation, water users community) to which the Public Health Engineer can issue
the Construction Permit. A separate New Well Construction Permit is required prior to the
drilling of a well source. Wells are to be constructed in accordance with the Ministry of
Environments Groundwater Protection Regulation to ensure proper well construction and to
prevent possible contamination of the aquifer.
Step 3 - Operating Permit
After the water supply system has been constructed and the commissioning period, if
required, has been completed, an Operating Permit may be issued by the Public Health
Inspector/Drinking Water Officer. Once operational, it is the responsibility of the water
supplier to maintain the system and ensure potable water is being supplied at all times.
Conditions will be applied to the Operating Permit in accordance with the Drinking Water
Quality Improvement Program or as needed.
CONNECTION TO AN EXISTING SYSTEM
Proposed building lots may be connected to an existing approved water supply system.
Interior Health will not recommend approval of a subdivision which plans to connect to a
water supply system which is not approved, or is under a permanent boil water notice. If the
water system is not in compliance with conditions on its operating permit and/or has a poor
operating history, then approval of the subdivision may not be given. Other approval agencies
may necessitate amendments or other requirements in relation to the water supply system.
For more information contact your local Public Health Inspector.
Attachment General Drinking Water Test Should I Get My Drinking Water Tested?

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HPF: Drinking Water

Health Protection
Protection
Health

Should I Get my Drinking Water Tested?

If you get your drinking water from a private well, spring, or domestic water license, you should get your
water tested to see if it is safe to drink and suitable for use in your home. The parameters listed below
represent a general test for drinking water quality for most healthy persons. People with medical
conditions should consult their physician about parameters important to their specific health concern.
Certified Well Drillers, neighbours, and Public Health Inspectors might know parameters of local interest.
To protect yourself from fecal contamination, drinking water from surface water, springs, and shallow
wells must be disinfected. The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality produced by Health
Canada list the recommended levels for these parameters.

Parameters
Total Coliform
E. coli group
The e.coli and total coliform tests look for fecal contamination in the water that can make you sick.

Turbidity
A test for Turbidity looks for cloudiness in drinking water caused by suspended particles. Bacteria,
viruses and parasites can attach themselves to these particles. Health risks increase as turbidity rises.

Metals and Chemicals

Antimony
Arsenic
Cadmium
Fluoride
Nitrates

Barium
Chromium
Lead
Selenium

Boron
Cyanide
Mercury
Uranium

These tests look for metals and chemicals that can cause illness at low concentrations.
Alkalinity
Conductance
Magnesium
Sulphate

Calcium
Copper
Manganese
Total Dissolved Solids

Chlorides
Hardness
pH
Zinc

Colour
Iron
Sodium

These tests are for items that can affect consumer acceptance and suitability for household uses like
bathing, washing, and laundry. At elevated concentrations, these parameters can become health concerns.
Infants and persons with medical conditions or special diets should consult their physician as they may
benefit from lower concentrations than are recommended by the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines.

Laboratories
The laboratory you choose should be accredited by the Canadian Association for Environmental
Analytical Laboratories. Contact these labs for information on testing parameters such as sulphide, if you
notice a rotten egg odour, or petroleum products, herbicides and pesticides. The laboratories will
provide information on pricing, sample bottles and how to take samples. They might also provide an
interpretation of the results.
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1. CAEAL Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories Chemical Analysis

http://www.caeal.ca/
2. List of laboratories approved by the Provincial Health Officer Bacteriological Analysis
http://www.pathology.ubc.ca/education/Certificate_Programs/Enhanced_Water_Quality_Assuran
ce/PHO_-_Approved_Laboratory_List.htm

References
1. For more information contact your local Health Protection office or see our Drinking Water
website at: http://www.interiorhealth.ca/Health+and+Safety/Drinking+Water/
2. Health Canada Drinking Water Site http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drinkpotab/index_e.html
3. Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality-Summary Table http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewhsemt/pubs/water-eau/doc_sup-appui/sum_guide-res_recom/index_e.html

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