The Region of Waterloo works closely with the Cities and Townships to provide municipal drinking water to homes and businesses throughout the Region.
The Region of Waterloo is responsible for treating, disinfecting and supplying drinking water through a large trunk watermain network that distributes water to the Cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the Townships of Woolwich and Wilmot. The Cities and Townships are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water distribution systems, including watermains, valves, service connections and fire hydrants. The exception is North Dumfries and Wellesley Townships where the Region is responsible for both the supply and distribution systems. A long-term, coordinated strategy ensures sufficient pressure and supply to meet current and future population growth.
Water safety and COVID-19 | ||||||
Important steps for re-opening your building water supply - read this important fact sheet As a building owner and operator, you are responsible for the water quality in your building and should understand what could happen when water is left stagnant. The longer the building has low water use, the higher the risk for water quality issues. During COVID-19, reduced or no water use in buildings may present health risks. This fact sheet provides information related to reopening your building’s water supply. Additional resources:
If COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets, does the Region of Waterloo need to protect our water system? The virus is carried in mist when people breath, cough or sneeze. See Public Health's FAQs for more about how this virus spreads. These droplets are not likely to reach our water treatment plants. But if they do, the Region's water treatment processes will remove the virus and keep our water supply safe. Does our current water treatment remove the virus? Yes, the Region’s water treatment removes viruses, including the coronavirus. That means the virus does not pose any threat to our drinking water. Tap water is clean, reliable and safe to drink, just like always, the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association has confirmed. Dedicated staff still deliver clean municipal water to homes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - no need to go to the store for bottled water. We follow advice from Health Canada to ensure public safety. Health Canada's Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality has more details on how water treatment keeps us safe from viruses. The Region of Waterloo also meets or exceeds drinking water requirements set by the province. Our annual Water Quality Reports give the results. Could the virus survive in our water system? No, the Region constantly checks our water to be sure proper treatment is keeping it safe. The Region’s water treatment removes the coronavirus, as well as other viruses. Chlorine also keeps our water safe and clean, and the Region monitors chlorine levels at all times. Our annual Water Quality Reports will tell you more. |
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Journey of water to your tap | ||||||
When you turn on the tap have you ever wondered where your water comes from?
(Click on the above image to view infographic as PDF file)
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Testing water to make sure it is safe | ||||||
Ontario's Safe Drinking Water Act requires municipalities to test drinking water for numerous parameters on a predetermined schedule. The Region of Waterloo proactively performs more testing than is required by the legislation, and includes additional non-regulated parameters in its drinking water monitoring program. An accredited lab must perform the testing. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks also requires municipalities to produce annual water quality and summary reports. These reports summarize the results of all required drinking water tests and confirm the drinking water supplied by the Region of Waterloo and area municipalities is safe and meets all health-related Ontario Drinking Water Standards. Each year the Region of Waterloo releases water quality reports that compare the level of quality for the drinking water in Waterloo Region to the Ontario Drinking Water Standards in the legislation O.Reg.169/03. |
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Environmental Enforcement and Laboratory Services | ||||||
Environmental Enforcement and Laboratory Services (EELS) responsibilities are environmental protection through monitoring, enforcement and laboratory analysis in support of Regional, Provincial and Federal legislation including:
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Quality Management System Policy |
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The Region of Waterloo Water Services uses a Quality Management System (QMS) for its drinking water systems that supports the Region's dedication to provide high quality drinking water to consumers. The Region is committed to effectively:
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