Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Drinking Water Safety in Newfoundland and Labrador “Water – A Mixed Solution” Provincial Rural Water Quality Workshop The Harris Center, MITACS and NEIA November 18, 2009 Haseen Khan, P.Eng.

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Overview of Government Initiatives  Drinking water safety is one of high priority areas  Actively involved in drinking water safety since 2001

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Government Initiatives  Multi-Barrier Strategic Action Plan

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Accomplishments of MBSAP  Source to Tap Report (2001)  Annual Drinking Water Safety Report (2002 – present)  Annual Drinking Water Safety Workshop (2001 – present)

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Accomplishments of MBSAP  Source water protection program  Drinking water quality monitoring program

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Accomplishments of MBSAP  Operator, Education and Training Section established in 2003  Provides training and certification to operators through: Classroom training Hands-on training Certification exams

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Accomplishments of MBSAP  Public Reporting Quarterly and annual interpretive reports Annual report to the House of Assembly On-line DWQ GIS Application Boil water advisories ALL DRINKING WATER DATA IS PUBLIC

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Accomplishments of MBSAP  Boil Water Advisories are issued as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of drinking water quality

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Government Initiatives  Rural Drinking Water Safety Initiative Issues identified in rural communities The Initiative was announced in 2008 Designed to deal with only rural areas $20 million allocated over a three year period

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Accomplishments of RDWSI  Completion of: Sustainable Options for the Management of Drinking Water Quality in Small Water Systems Report  Studies underway: PWDUs Operation and maintenance of water systems

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Accomplishments of RDWSI  7 potable water dispensing units (PWDUs) currently in operation  Received 47 applications for PWDUs  Design completed for 26 PWDUs to be installed in Spring 2010

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Areas of Collaboration  DBP formation  Community outreach  Drinking water treatment technologies  Other projects as agreed upon through mutual discussion Government Regulatory Agency Academia Research and Development

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Newfoundland and Labrador The approach undertaken by the Government of NL has made us a leader in the country on Drinking Water Safety

Water Resources Management Division Department of Environment & Conservation Thank You Questions?