The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the Advisory Council on Drinking-Water Quality and Testing Standards’ advice regarding a review of Health Canada’s draft document entitled “Corrosion Control in Drinking Water Systems” and early implementation of corrosion control in Ontario.

The Advisory Council on Drinking-Water Quality and Testing Standards was established as an advisory agency to provide the provincial government with expert advice on drinking water related issues.

On Friday, April 20, 2007, Health Canada released a draft Corrosion Control Guidance Document targeted at managing lead in drinking water. The Ministry of the Environment requested the Advisory Council on Drinking-Water Quality and Testing Standards provide recommendations on Ontario’s response to this document and associated actions to address corrosive drinking water.

Concurrently, the Chief Drinking Water Inspector ordered 36 municipalities to conduct precautionary testing for lead in drinking water in older homes serviced by lead lines by May 23, 2007. The results of these tests will assist the province in determining both short and long term actions to address threats from corrosive water.

The government will be considering the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Drinking-Water Quality and Testing Standard, while also reviewing the results of the drinking water testing conducted across the province.

Commissioner O’Connor, in the report of the Walkerton Inquiry, Part II, made six recommendations regarding an Advisory Council on Standards.

Specifically, that in setting drinking water quality standards, the ministry should be advised by an Advisory Council on standards.

On May 12, 2004, the government implemented Justice O’Connor’s recommendation by establishing the Advisory Council on Drinking-Water Quality and Testing Standards.

The Advisory Council includes a total of up to fifteen members nominated from key professional organizations representing a cross-section of academia, industry and municipalities, with expertise in the areas of microbiology, engineering, utility operations and public health.

The mandate of the Council is to:

• Contribute to ensuring Ontario’s standards for drinking water quality and testing are consistent with the most up-to-date information and practices, and that the standards-setting process is transparent with increased public input;
• Review scientific and technical documentation of proposed standards; and undertake consultation to clarify and address issues and provide feedback to the public.

In developing their advice on corrosion control, the Council’s approach consisted of;

• Forming a working group in order to collect relevant information and undertake an assessment of Health Canada’s document.
• Holding an expert’s workshop on May 16th with experts in the field of corrosion control and lead in drinking water.
• Considering the current events and work underway with respect to lead in drinking water in London.
• Presenting the Working Group’s findings to the full Council for their review and feedback.

Please follow the link to the ODWAC Advice (cover letter)

Pat Lachmaniuk
Supervisor
Ministry of the Environment
Environmental Sciences and Standards Division
Standards Development Branch
Drinking Water Standards
40 St. Clair Avenue West
7th Floor
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1M2
Phone: (416) 327-7480
Fax: (416) 327-9091