Regulatory Resources for Ontario Systems
The following links are sorted by their relevance to categories of drinking water systems.
If you are unsure of what regulation your system falls under, the documents below provide information on O. Reg. 170/03 and O. Reg. 319/08 systems.
Drinking Water Systems Under O. Reg. 170/03
Drinking Water Systems Under O. Reg. 319/08
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Large O. Reg. 170/03 Systems
2015 Watermain disinfection procedure
2020 Watermain disinfection procedure
A Guide for Drinking Water System Owners Seeking To Undertake a Backflow Prevention Program
A Student’s Guide to Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Certification
Certification Guide for Operators and Water Quality Analysts of Drinking Water Systems
Design Guidelines for Drinking-Water Systems
Drinking Water Operator-In-Training Requirements
Experience as a Drinking Water Operator
Find Licensed Well Contractors
Guide for Applying for Drinking Water Works Permit Amendments, License Amendments
Guide for Applying for Fragmentation and Relief from Regulatory Requirements
Guide to Permit to Take Water Application Form
Guide to Supporting Information Required for a Municipal Drinking Water License Renewal
Laboratories Licensed to Test for Lead
Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution
Ontario’s Drinking Water Quality Management Standard – Pocket Guide
Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.40
O. Reg. 128/04: Certification of Drinking Water System Operators and Water Quality Analysts
O. Reg. 169/03: Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards
O. Reg. 170/03: Drinking Water Systems
O. Reg. 248/03: Drinking Water Testing Services
O. Reg. 284/07: Source Protection Areas and Regions
O. Reg. 387/04: Water Taking and Transfer
Overall Responsible Operator vs. Operator-in-Charge
Practices for Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
Questions and Answers – Watermain Disinfection Procedure
Request for Early Implementation of the Watermain Disinfection Procedure
Required Qualifications to Operate, Test or Sample Drinking Water Systems
Taking Care of Your Drinking Water: A Guide for Members of Municipal Councils
Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
Training Requirements for Drinking Water Operators
Water and Energy Conservation Guidance Manual for Sewage Works
Watermain Disinfection Procedure
Water Quality Analyst Experience and Director Approved Course
Water Supply Wells: Requirements and Best Practices
Well Regulation – Well Construction Licensing (technical bulletin)
Well Regulation – Well Maintenance (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Completing the New Well’s Structure (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Flowing Wells (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Installing Equipment in a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Siting a New Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Abandonment: When to Plug and Seal a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Disinfection (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Repairs and Other Alterations (technical bulletin)
Small O. Reg. 170/03 Systems
A Guide for Operators and Owners of Drinking Water Systems that Serve Designated Facilities
A Guide for Owners and Operators of Non-Municipal Year-Round Residential Drinking Water Systems
Application Form for Fragmentation or Relief from Regulatory Requirements form
Declaration of Professional Engineer and Notice of Completion for changes to a drinking water system
Drinking Water System Profile Information form
Find Licensed Well Contractors
Flushing and Sampling for Lead
Flushing Plumbing in Schools, Private Schools and Day Nurseries
Flushing your Plumbing: At-a-glance guide for schools, private schools and child care centres
Guide for Applying for Drinking Water Works Permit Amendments, License Amendments
Guide for Applying for Fragmentation and Relief from Regulatory Requirements
Guide for Schools, Private Schools and Day Nurseries on Flushing and Testing for Lead
Guide to Permit to Take Water Application Form
How to Maintain Your Trained Person Designation
Identify and control excess lead in drinking water in schools and child care centres
Laboratories Licensed to Test for Lead
Laboratory Services Notification for adding or changing labs
Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution
Ontario Drinking Water Regulations for Small Systems
O. Reg. 128/04: Certification of Drinking Water System Operators and Water Quality Analysts
O. Reg. 169/03: Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards
O. Reg. 170/03: Drinking Water Systems
O. Reg. 243/07: Schools, Private Schools and Day Nurseries
Practices for Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
Questions and Answers – Watermain Disinfection Procedure
Request for Early Implementation of the Watermain Disinfection Procedure
Required Qualifications to Operate, Test or Sample Drinking Water Systems
Rules for non-municipal drinking water systems
Sampling for Lead: At-a-Glance guide for schools, private schools and child care centres
Sampling for Lead in Schools, Private Schools and Day Nurseries
Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
Training Manual for Supervised Persons Conducting Operational Checks
Watermain disinfection procedure
Water Supply Wells: Requirements and Best Practices
Well Regulation – Well Construction Licensing (technical bulletin)
Well Regulation – Well Maintenance (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Completing the New Well’s Structure (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Flowing Wells (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Installing Equipment in a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Siting a New Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Abandonment: When to Plug and Seal a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Disinfection (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Repairs and Other Alterations (technical bulletin)
O. Reg. 319/08 Systems
Find Licensed Well Contractors
Guide for Applying for Drinking Water Works Permit Amendments, License Amendments
Laboratories Licensed to Test for Lead
Laboratory Services Notification (LSN) Small Drinking Water Systems Regulation (O.Reg. 319/08)
Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution – Small Drinking Water Systems (MOHLTC)
Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.40
O. Reg. 169/03: Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards
O. Reg. 319/08: Small Drinking Water Systems
O. Reg. 387/04: Water Taking and Transfer
Practices for Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
Small Drinking Water System Identification
Small Drinking Water Systems under the Health Protection and Promotion Act – Treatment Options
Small Drinking Water Systems under the Health Protection and Promotion Act – Sampling and Testing
Small Drinking Water Systems under the Health Protection and Promotion Act – Operator Training
Small Drinking Water Systems under the Health Protection and Promotion Act – Get to Know the Law
Small Drinking Water Systems under the Health Protection and Promotion Act – Source Water
Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
Watermain disinfection procedure
Water Supply Wells: Requirements and Best Practices
Well Regulation – Well Construction Licensing (technical bulletin)
Well Regulation – Well Maintenance (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Completing the New Well’s Structure (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Flowing Wells (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Installing Equipment in a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Siting a New Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Abandonment: When to Plug and Seal a Well (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Disinfection (technical bulletin)
Wells Regulation – Well Repairs and Other Alterations (technical bulletin)
View these similar posts on the WCWC online library for more information.
First Nations Water System Resources
Small Drinking Water Systems Resources
2021 Annual Reports on Drinking Water in Ontario
Read More2021 Annual Reports on Drinking Water in Ontario
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), along with the Ministry of Health and many partners and stakeholders, share a commitment to excellence in helping to ensure the continued safety of Ontario’s drinking water. This year’s performance results can be viewed in the reports below.
Read an overview of the MECP programs, policies and initiatives to protect drinking water in Ontario:
Minister’s annual report on drinking water (2021)
Learn about the performance of our regulated drinking water systems and laboratories, drinking water test results, and enforcement activities and programs:
Chief Drinking Water Inspector annual report (2020-2021)
For more information, view our post on Ontario’s Drinking Water Quality and Enforcement dataset which contains information about the drinking water systems, laboratories and facilities the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is responsible for monitoring to ensure compliance with Ontario’s drinking water laws.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water or view these similar posts.
Regulatory Resources for Ontario Systems
Read MoreMinistry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Draft Documents for Consultation
The following documents are drafts provided by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and are being provided for discussion purposes only.
Feedback is collected and reviewed during the set consultation period.
Open Consultations
Expanding administrative penalties for environmental contraventions
Closed Consultations
Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water (GUDI) Terms of Reference – Jan 2019 Draft
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Read More
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Proposed Regulatory Changes
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is proposing regulatory changes that would allow it and system owners and operating authorities to act quickly to help ensure the province’s drinking water systems and sewage works have the staff needed to continue operations during an emergency. These proposed changes align with temporary measures we enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic and would only be available for use during an emergency that could affect continuity of water related services.
The proposed changes to Ontario’s drinking water and wastewater operator regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 and the Ontario Water Resources Act include:
- Emergency related amendments that aim to help address drinking water and wastewater operator certification issues that may arise during an emergency or its aftermath and provide system owners and operating authorities of drinking water systems and wastewater facilities with temporary staffing options, while continuing to uphold strong environmental protection and ensuring the health and safety of Ontarians and the natural environment.
- Strike and lock-out related amendments that would formalize and clarify the process for owners and operating authorities of drinking water systems and wastewater facilities to request ministry Director’s direction and/or exemption from operator certification requirements during a strike or lock-out.
- Amendments to harmonize the circumstances under which the ministry Director may revoke or suspend a drinking water operator’s certificate or wastewater operator’s licence.
We invite you to view the full proposals on the Environmental Registry and provide your feedback by July 2, 2021:
- Proposed amendments to drinking water operator and water quality analyst certification regulation to address impacts of emergencies (019-3513)
- Proposed amendments to wastewater operator licensing regulation to address impacts of emergencies (019-3515)
MECP staff will continue to support you during this difficult time. Please contact your local ministry district office if you are experiencing operator staffing shortages that may lead to a break in continuity of operations, so that we can discuss potential options to help ensure continued safe operations.
Ontario’s drinking water remains among the best protected in the world. Working with our partners and municipalities, we will continue to ensure our drinking water is held to Ontario’s high safety standards, and that the environment continues to be protected.
If you have any questions, please email: operator.certification.moe@ontario.ca
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Disponible en français.
Read MoreWatermain Disinfection Procedure
‘This document outlines procedures for disinfecting water mains as part of an addition, modification, replacement, extension, planned maintenance, or emergency repair in a municipal residential drinking water system. The procedures are required to be followed in order to satisfy conditions imposed by the Director in a drinking water works permit. (MECP, 2020)’
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
2020 Watermain disinfection procedure
Watermain Disinfection Procedure Questions and Answers – February 19, 2021
2015 Watermain disinfection procedure
Read More
WCWC Training and Development
WCWC supports water systems owners, operators and operating authorities as they manage their water systems to safeguard water resources. Paula VanVeen, Curriculum Development Coordinator, tells us about WCWC’s Training and Development initiatives and what’s new for 2021.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted initiatives in Training and Development?
Historically our focus has been on the development of classroom training with the incorporation of hands-on activities to enhance the learning experience. Ontario’s public health initiatives in response to COVID-19 have encouraged us to move to more online and virtual courses. While providing quality training in the classroom will always be a priority, we will continue to enhance our online and virtual development initiatives post-pandemic. These initiatives support our mandate of delivering drinking water operator training throughout the province; small systems, First Nations, remote communities and municipalities benefit from the flexibility offered by these alternative learning platforms.
How have Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) priorities driven curriculum development?
Ontario’s operators are required to take a mandatory course every 36 months as part of their certificate renewal requirements. MECP tasks WCWC with the development and delivery of the renewal course. In January 2021 a new course was rolled out, aptly named Mandatory Certificate Renewal Course 2021-2023 (MCR2123). This new renewal course has been largely developed by WCWC in consultation with the MECP and an advisory group of drinking water stakeholders provincewide. MCR2123 will be available in classrooms throughout Ontario, virtually, and by correspondence in the Spring of 2021.
The MECP has also directed WCWC to develop an Ethics course in support of its new Code of Ethics. While the vast majority of Ontario’s operators conduct themselves with honesty and integrity, the MECP has noticed an increase in noncompliance related to unethical behaviour. Ethics for Drinking Water Operators is a three-hour online course available early in 2021. The MECP’s Code of Ethics will become part of the operator certification and renewal application process.
What’s new for 2021?
Response has been very positive for our virtual course deliveries, and there continues to be interest in eLearning from our client base. We will be adding to our list of virtual offerings using theory content from existing courses supplemented by videos and interactive online group activity.
For more information about WCWC training, please visit wcwc.ca/training/courses/ or contact us at 866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.
Read MoreWells Help Desk & Records in Ontario
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) operates a public Wells Help Desk to help ensure that information is available to the public. The Wells Helps Desk also receives and forwards well complaints to the appropriate ministry office, answers general questions on wells, assists well owners to locate their well record and assists the well industry sector in obtaining licenses, well record forms and well tags (MECP, 2021).
MECP Wells Help Desk
Mailing Address:
Wells Help Desk
Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
125 Resources Road
Toronto ON M9P 3V6
Phone: Toll-free: 1-888-396-WELL (9355)
Fax: 1-416-235-5960
Email: wellshelpdesk@ontario.ca
Well Records & Requests
How to complete, submit or get a copy of a well record.
Well Records Open Data Catalog
Information and rules for residential well owners, including the proper location, construction, maintenance and abandonment of a well can be found at Wells on your property.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Read MoreWells Technical Bulletins
The Wells Regulation helps to ensure that groundwater quality, well water quality, and the environment are protected. The following series of technical bulletins were created for water supply well owners.
They summarize information found in the Water Supply Wells: Requirements and Best Management Practices manual published by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
Technical Bulletins
- Completing the New Well’s Structure
- Flowing Wells
- Installing Equipment in a Well
- New Construction of the Hole, Casing, Well Screen and Annular Space
- Siting a New Well
- Well Abandonment: When to Plug and Seal a Well
- Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Well
- Well Construction Licensing
- Well Disinfection
- Well Maintenance
- Well Repairs and Other Alterations
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Read More