
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
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
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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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Well Construction and Licensing
The licensing of well contractors and technicians promotes and supports enforcement of safe environmental practices to maintain the health of Ontario’s groundwater resources. You will need a well technician license or employ a person with a well technician license to construct, maintain, repair or upgrade a well.
This collection of resources was assembled for well contractors, technicians and anyone interested in learning the rules for constructing, maintaining or making repairs to a water well.
Rules for the person who is constructing a new water supply well.
You can also find the full set of requirements for well construction and licensing at:
Find a Contractor
- Find Licensed Well Contractors – Use this directory to find licensed well contractors.
- Find an Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) Member Contractor in your Area – Use this directory to find a contractor.
Licensing & Records
- Well Contractor License – How to apply for and renew a well contractor license so you can operate a well construction business.
- Well Technician License – How to apply for and renew a well technician license, as well as add a new class(es).
- Well Records – How to complete, submit or get a copy of a well record.
Technical Bulletins for Ontario’s Wells Regulation
- Completing the New Well’s Structure
- Completing the Structure of the New Test Hole or Dewatering Well
- Constructing New Multi-Level Monitoring Test Holes
- Constructing New Test Holes & Dewatering Wells
- Constructing New Test Holes & Dewatering Wells in Operation for No Longer than 180 Days
- Constructing New Uncased Test Holes & Dewatering Wells in Operation for No Longer than 30 Days
- Exempted Activities Performed on Wells, Including Test Holes & Dewatering Wells
- Flowing Test Holes and Dewatering Wells
- Flowing Wells
- Installing Equipment in a Well
- Licensing (Class 5) for individuals who Perform Tests on Wells
- New Construction of the Hole, Casing, Well Screen and Annular Space
- Shallow Works Test Holes and Dewatering Wells
- Site Considerations & Initial Planning for Test Holes & Dewatering Wells
- Siting a New Well
- Test Hole and Dewatering Well Licensing
- Test Hole & Dewatering Well Maintenance
- Test Hole & Dewatering Well Repairs & Alterations
- Test holes and dewatering wells – Requirements and best management practices
- Understanding the Meaning of Well, Test Hole and Dewatering Well
- Water Supply Wells: Requirements and Best Practices
- Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Test Hole or Dewatering Well
- Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Well
- Well Abandonment: When to Plug and Seal a Well
- Well Construction Licensing
- Well Disinfection
- Well Maintenance
- Well Record, Reporting & Tagging for a Test Hole & Dewatering Wells
- Well Repairs and Other Alterations
Well Technician Training
- Fleming College – Ontario Well Technician training courses at Fleming College including courses to obtain your license and courses to maintain your license.
- Lusk Geo Inc. – Provides training in groundwater, water wells, geothermal systems and Well Technician Licensing.
Associations
- Ontario Ground Water Association – a not for profit association consisting of professional members who are involved in the ground water industry in Ontario. They include — Well Drillers, Environmental/Geotechnical Drillers, Pump Installers, Manufacturers and Suppliers, as well as Scientists and Engineers. Included are the company owners as well as their employees.
- Canadian Water Quality Association – representing the Canadian water quality improvement industry.
- Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association – representing the onsite and decentralized wastewater industry in Ontario, including educators, regulators, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, and other parties.
- Hydrogeologists Without Borders – a Canadian non-profit organization and registered charity, based in Calgary.
- Canadian National Ground Water Association – a Canadian non-profit consisting of members of the ground water industry across Canada.
- Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (PGO) – governs the practice of professional geoscience in Ontario.
- Professional Engineers of Ontario – the licensing and regulating body for engineering in the province.
Water Testing
- Well Wise Water Testing Program– administered by the Ontario Ground Water Association. This program provides cost effective water testing for things other than bacteria in your water. Metals, minerals, salts, fuels, solvents, fluoride, mercury, sulfate, tannin/lignin, pesticides/herbicides, and glyphosates. Test bottles are shipped to you with return freight included. Not for Profit water testing.
- Public Health Unit (PHU) Testing – Find your local PHU for information on free well water testing for E. Coli and Coliform bacteria. Check your water spring, summer, and fall.
- List of Licensed Laboratories in Ontario – This is a list of laboratories licensed to perform drinking water tests in Ontario. Prior to submitting samples please contact the licensed laboratory for pricing .
- Testing Well Water – An instructional video on how to take an accurate sample of your well water for E. Coli and Coliform bacteria testing.
Visit our online library’s main webpage to find more resources on topics related to drinking water.
Photo from Luskgeo.com
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