
Small Drinking Water Systems Resources
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) is committed to supporting the owners and operators of Ontario’s small systems. These technical resources were collected for small water system owners/operators.
For further support, the following contacts will assist you:
- WCWC can assist with your training needs.
- OWWCO (Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office) will accept inquiries regarding licensing and renewals.
- Your local Public Health Unit or Public Health Inspector for more information on operation requirements, inspections and compliance for your small drinking water system.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Guides
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
An Introduction to Operating a Small Drinking Water System
Arsenic Treatment Technology Evaluation Handbook for Small Systems
Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems
Control and Mitigation of Drinking Water Losses in Distribution Systems
Cross-Connection Control: A Best Practices Guide
Cross-Connection Control Manual
Distribution Systems: A Best Practices Guide
Drinking Water Security for Small Systems Serving 3,300 or Fewer Persons
Drought Planning for Small Community Water Systems
Guidance For Safe Drinking Water In Canada: From Intake To Tap
Improving Security through Capacity Development: Capacity Self-Assessments
New Small Drinking Water Systems Program in Ontario Backgrounder
Ontario Drinking Water Regulations for Small Systems
Point-of-Use or Point-of-Entry Treatment Options for Small Drinking Water Systems
Preventive Maintenance Tasks for Small Public Water Systems Using Ground Water
Removing Multiple Contaminants from Drinking Water: Issues to Consider
Setting Small Drinking Water System Rates For A Sustainable Future
Small Drinking Water Systems: Operator’s Guide
Small Drinking Water Systems Risk Assessment Guideline
Small Drinking Water Systems: Who Does What in Ontario?
Strategic Planning: A Handbook for Small Water Systems
Strategies for Saving Energy at Public Water Systems
Taking Stock of your Water System: A Simple Asset Inventory for Very Small Drinking Water Systems
Talking to Your Customers About Chronic Contaminants in Drinking Water: A Best Practices Guide
Talking to Your Decision Makers: A Best Practices Guide
Water Audits and Water Loss Control For Public Water Systems
Water Availability and Variability Strategies For Public Water Systems
Water System Owner Roles and Responsibilities: A Best Practices Guide
Regulations
O. Reg. 169/03: Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards
O. Reg. 170/03: Drinking Water Systems
O. Reg. 319/08: SMALL DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
Practices for Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
Required qualifications to operate, test or sample drinking water systems
Technical support document for Ontario drinking water standards, objectives and guidelines
Sampling and Analysis
Advice for the Operation of Potable Water Field Test Equipment
How to analyze free chlorine residual
How to analyze total chlorine residual
How to analyze iron in a drinking water sample
How to analyze pH and temperature of a drinking water sample
How to analyze UV absorbance and transmittance
Operator Tools
Drinking Water Treatability Database
Electronic Preventive Maintenance Logs
Knowledge Retention Tool Spreadsheet for Small Water Systems
Preventive Maintenance Card File for Small Public Water Systems Using Ground Water
Rural Water Quality Information Tool
The Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS)
Training
How to Maintain Your Trained Person Designation
Steps to Become a Limited System Operator
Water Quality Challenges in Small Drinking Water Systems in Southern Ontario
Water Quality Training Learning Modules for Micro-Systems
Videos
Disinfection for Micro-Systems
Peristaltic Pump Tubing Change
Small On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems
Ultraviolet and Reverse Osmosis for Micro-Systems
Water Filtration and Ion Exchange for Micro-Systems
Fact Sheets
How to Ensure Your Water is Safe
Information for you about Drinking Water Treatments
Product Certifications – How do I know if a product is certified?
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
Small Drinking Water Systems under the Health Protection and Promotion Act – Operator Training
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 – Treatment Options
Treatment Technologies for Small Drinking Water Systems
Ultraviolet disinfection technical bulletin
Understanding Your Well Water Test Results
Forms
Laboratory Services Notification (LSN) – Small Drinking Water Systems
Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution – Small Drinking Water Systems (MOHLTC)
Notice to Operate or Reopen a Small Drinking Water System
View these similar posts on the WCWC online library for more information.
Small Systems Zone – Walkerton Clean Water Centre
Regulatory Resources for Ontario Systems
Public Health Inspector Resources
Wednesday’s with Warren: Water Movement Operator Training Videos
Free Small Systems Training from the Government of Canada
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Public Health Inspector Resources
Guides
Drinking Water Quality in Canada
Ontario Public Health Standards: Protocols and Guidelines
Drinking Water Haulage Guidance Document
Practices for the Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
Public Health Inspectors Guide
Response to Adverse Drinking Water Quality Incidents
Small Drinking Water Systems: Operator’s Guide
Small Drinking Water Systems: Who Does What in Ontario?
Technical Support Document for Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
Protocols & Guidelines
Operational Approaches for Recreational Water Guideline, 2018
Recreational Water Protocol, 2019
Recreational Water Reference Document, 2019
Safe Drinking Water and Fluoride Monitoring Protocol, 2019
Small Drinking Water Systems Risk Assessment Guideline, 2018
Regulations
Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7
Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.40
O. Reg. 170/03: DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
O. Reg. 319/08: SMALL DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 32
Sampling & Analysis
Bacteriological Analysis of Water: Multiple Sample Requisition for Official Agencies
Drinking Water Testing – Official Agencies | Public Health Ontario
Drinking Water Testing – Private Citizen
Potability of Water Release Form
Practices for the Collection and Handling of Drinking Water Samples
Recreational Water Facilities and Public Pools Spas
Requisition for Specimen Containers and Supplies
Sewage, Suspected Sewage Contamination – Water
Water Testing – Who to Contact
Water Sample Analysis – Public Health Inspectors Guide
Well Water Testing (Private Drinking Water)
Arsenic from community water fluoridation: quantifying the effect
Emergency Management : Keeping Food and Water Safe after a Flood
Zika Virus Infection and the Flint, Michigan, Water Crisis: A Study in Surprising Commonalities
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Find Licensed Well Contractors
Laboratory Accreditation and Licensing
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ministry of the Environment – District Locator
Ministry of the Environment – Drinking Water
Legionella
Environmental Microbiology Investigation Requisition Form
Infectious Diseases Protocol – Appendix A: Disease – Specific Chapters – Legionellosis
Legionella and the prevention of legionellosis
Legionella: Introduction of molecular screening of environmental water samples
Legionella (Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever)
Legionella: questions and answers, 2nd edition
Legionella – Respiratory PCR and Culture
Legionellosis in Ontario, January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018
Legionellosis (Legionella, Legionnaires Disease)
Presentations
Legionellosis: Key Considerations for Case and Environmental Exposure Investigation
Photo from www.regionofwaterloo.ca
Disponible en français.
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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
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