Small drinking water system

A buyer of a rural restaurant, campground or similar business with its own water supply meets this term when asking whether the supply is regulated, and by whom. This entry covers Ontario only; check the rules where the business is. See selling a campground in Ontario.

What the regulation does

A public health inspector makes a determination based on an initial risk assessment and issues the owner a written directive. A directive may set, among other things, sampling, tests, operator training, records, treatment equipment and warning signs. Section 7(7) says a directive applies to any subsequent owner or operator. Section 6 requires the owner to designate an operator and notify the medical officer of health of the operator’s name and address and of any change. The Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 separately requires a laboratory to report prescribed adverse results from these systems.

What to check or ask

• Ask the local health unit whether the system is covered, then read section 1 of the regulation.
• Ask for the current directive and recent test results, which the regulation says must be available for inspection.
• Ask who the designated operator is and whether the health unit has been told.
• Ask about adverse results or open corrective actions. See drinking water operator certification.