Potable Water Assessments
by CM3 Environmental
A potable water assessment systematically evaluates the quality and safety of drinking water to ensure it meets established standards and is safe for human consumption. This assessment is crucial for identifying potential contaminants and ensuring that the water supply complies with regulatory guidelines.
Potable water assessments are typically conducted for various settings, including residential areas, commercial buildings, educational institutions, industrial facilities, and public water supplies.
Key Objectives of a Potable Water Assessment:
- Ensure Safety: Verify that water is free from harmful contaminants and safe for drinking, cooking, and other domestic uses.
- Compliance: Confirm that the water supply adheres to applicable regulatory standards and guidelines.
- Identify Contamination Sources: Determine potential or existing sources of contamination, such as industrial activities, agricultural runoff, or failing infrastructure.
- Support Risk Mitigation: Provide actionable recommendations to reduce risks and maintain water quality.
Water quality testing:
A potable water quality assessment could cover a wide range of potential pollutants. The following are some of the more common parameters we are asked to address:
Radiological Testing: Check for radon, uranium, or other radioactive contaminants.The Safe Drinking Water Act mandates strict standards for water quality required for human consumption.
- Chemical Analysis:
- pH, hardness, and alkalinity.
- Presence of heavy metals (e.g., lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.).
- Levels of nitrates, sulfates, and chlorides.
- Disinfection byproducts (e.g., trihalomethanes).
- Microbiological Testing:
- Pathogens such as bacteria (E. coli, Legionella), viruses, and protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium).
- Total coliform counts as an indicator of microbial contamination.
- Physical Parameters: turbidity, color, and taste.
- Radiological Testing: Check for radon, uranium, or other radioactive contaminants.
Below are some important potable water regulations:
- Reg. 319/08: SMALL DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS:
ontario.ca/laws/regulation/080319 - Reg. 170/03: DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS:
ontario.ca/laws/regulation/030170 - Reg. 243/07: SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND DAY NURSERIES:
ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070243