Ontario Proposes New Drinking Water Standards

The Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) is proposing to tighten the permissible levels of some contaminants in piped drinking water, and to adopt standards for other as yet unregulated chemicals. MOECC is holding a Regulatory Consultation until February 16, 2005. The changes will amend Ontario Regulation 169/03—Drinking Water Standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These standards don't apply to bottled water – another reason to drink tap water instead.

The new standards would likely require municipalities, which treat and distribute drinking water, to install new or upgraded treatment technology. Most of us (who do not own private wells) would therefore pay more for cleaner drinking water.