Close Alert Banner
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content
Region of Durham Logo
Contact Us
Engage
  • Living Here
    • 211 – Connect with local community services
    • 311 – Connecting you to our services
    • A to Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Age-Friendly Durham
    • Animal Services and Control
    • Child Care and Early Years
    • Climate, Energy and Resilience
    • Conservation Authorities
    • Counselling
    • Crime Prevention and Public Safety
    • Durham Employment Services
    • Education and Schools
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Emergency Services
    • Emergency Social Services
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Libraries
    • View More...
    View our Garbage and Recycling page

    Garbage and Recycling

    View our My Property page

    My Property

    View our Roads and Traffic page

    Roads and Traffic

  • Discovering Durham
    • About Durham Region
    • Arts and Culture
    • Bike Month
    • Cycling and Walking
    • E-mobility
    • Local Food and Farmers' Markets
    • Maps
    • New to Durham Region
    • Parks, Trails and Conservation Areas
    • Spectator Sports
    • Sport Tourism
    • Sports and Recreation
    • Tourism
    • Tourism Festival and Events Calendar
    • Transportation and Transit
    View our Tourism page

    Tourism

    View our Tourism Festival and Events calendar

    Tourism Festival and Events Calendar

    View our Transportation and Transit page

    Transportation and Transit

  • Doing Business
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • As-Built Drawing Request
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Business Directory
    • Business Count
    • Community Social Investment Program
    • Construction and Your Business
    • Construction Liens
    • Design and Construction Specifications
    • Economic Development
    • Events
    • Funding Resources
    • Garbage and Recycling Collection on Private Property
    • Housing
    • Municipal Consent
    • Operating a Child Care Centre
    • Planning and Development
    • Public Health and Your Business
    • Purchasing
    • View More...
    View our Agriculture page

    Agriculture

    View our Business Directory page

    Business Directory

    View our Purchasing page

    Purchasing

  • Health and Wellness
    • Alcohol, Cannabis, Drugs and Smoking
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Child Health and School-Age Children
    • Clinics and Classes Calendar
    • COVID-19
    • Domestic Violence
    • Dental and Oral Health
    • Environment and Your Health
    • Food and Eating
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Health Check-Up! Reports and Health Plans
    • Health Information Services
    • Healthy Living
    • Illness, Infection and Disease
    • Immunizations and Vaccines
    • Injury Prevention and Safety
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Public Health Inspections and Investigations
    • View More...
    View our Health Care Professionals page

    Health Care Professionals

    Launch the Durham Region Respiratory Virus Data Tracker

    Respiratory Virus Data Tracker

    Report Immunizations Online

    Report Immunizations Online

  • Regional Government
    • A to Z Services
    • Access to Information
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Advocacy Priorities
    • Awards
    • Budget and Financial
    • By-Laws
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • CityStudio Durham
    • Community Engagement
    • Community Safety and Well-Being Plan
    • Contact Us
    • Court and Traffic Tickets (Provincial Offences)
    • Departments
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Durham Region 101
    • Durham Region Strategic Plan
    • Durham Works
    • Innovation
    • View More...
    View our Council page

    Council

    View our Open Data page

    Open Data

    View our Regional Services map

    Regional Services

I'd Like To...

Apply or Register For

  • Applications, Licences and Permits
  • Bidding Opportunities
  • Careers and Volunteering
  • Freedom of Information Request
  • Housing

Learn About

  • A to Z Services
  • Being New to Durham Region
  • Budget
  • By-Laws
  • Council
  • Durham Region Transit
  • Public Health Inspections

Report an Issue

  • By-Law Infraction
  • Downed Sign
  • Health Protection Complaint
  • Illegal Dumping
  • Missed Garbage or Recycling Pickup
View our X Page View our Facebook Page View our YouTube Page view our LinkedIn page

Filling glass with tap water.

Small Drinking Water Systems

HomeHealth and WellnessPublic Health Inspections and InvestigationsSmall Drinking Water Systems
Decrease text size Default text size Increase text size
Print this page
Share this page
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Public Health Inspections and Investigations
    • Beaches
    • Check&GO! Durham
    • Food Safety
    • Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lapse Reports
    • International Agricultural Worker Housing Inspections
    • Operating a Child Care Centre
    • Playgrounds
    • Rabies
    • Recreational Water
    • Salons and Spas
    • Sewage and Septic Systems
    • Small Drinking Water Systems
    • Smoking, Vaping and Retailer Convictions
    • Submit an Enquiry or Complaint
    • Tattoos and Piercings
    • Your Business and Public Health
  • Alcohol, Cannabis, Drugs and Smoking
    • Alcohol
    • Cannabis
    • Opioids and Overdose Prevention
      • Durham Opioid Response Plan
      • Durham Region Opioid Information System
    • Safe Needle Disposal
    • Tobacco and Vaping
  • Babies and Toddlers
    • Babies with Developmental Concerns
    • Baby's First Year
    • Bringing Baby Home
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Crib Safety
    • Feeding Your Baby the First Six Months
    • Flat-head Syndrome
    • Healthy Babies Healthy Children Home Visiting Program
    • Infant Crying
    • Infant Sleep and Sleep Habits
    • Online Breastfeeding and Newborn Classes
    • Parenting Your Child and Positive Parenting
    • Perinatal Mood Disorders
    • Shaken Baby Syndrome
  • Child Health and School-Age Children
    • Bullying
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Child Care and Early Learning
    • Child Development
    • Child Immunization and School Clinics
    • Feeding Young Children
  • Clinics and Classes Calendar
  • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Case and Contact Information Hub
    • COVID-19 Guidance and Advice for Businesses and Organizations
    • COVID-19 Testing
    • COVID-19 Vaccines
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Institutional Outbreaks
    • Masks
    • Respiratory Virus Activity in Durham Region
  • Domestic Violence
  • Dental and Oral Health
    • Brushing and Flossing
    • Fluoride
    • Oral Cancer
    • School Screening Dental Clinics
    • Snacking
  • Environment and Your Health
    • Air Quality
    • Beaches
    • Climate Change and Health
    • Cold Weather
    • Extreme Heat and Humidity
    • Flooding
    • Harmful Plants
    • Nuclear Awareness
    • Private Wells
    • Sewage and Septic Systems
    • Sun Safety and Tanning
  • Food and Eating
    • During Pregnancy
    • Feeding Babies and Young Children
    • Food Insecurity
    • Food Safety
    • Healthy Eating
    • Planning for Pregnancy
    • Shopping and Cooking
  • Health Care Professionals
  • Health Check-Up! Reports and Health Plans
    • 2023 Health Check-Up!
    • 2022 Health Check-Up!
    • 2024 Health Plan
    • 2023 Health Plan
  • Health Information Services
    • Durham Health Stats
    • Health Care
    • Health Neighbourhoods
    • Information Practices / Client Safety / Customer Service Standards
    • Outbreaks, Recalls, Advisories and Alerts
    • Public Access to Defibrillators
  • Healthy Living
    • Healthy Aging
    • Healthy Built Environment
    • Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Routines
    • Food Insecurity
    • Infection Prevention
    • Low Cost and Subsidized Recreation Programs
    • Physical Activity, Sedentary Time and Sleep
  • Illness, Infection and Disease
    • Avian Influenza
    • Facts About...
    • Food Poisoning
    • Infection Control in Institutions
    • Influenza (Flu)
    • Insects, Rodents and Bites
    • Legionella
    • Measles
    • Meningitis
    • Mpox
      • Information for Health Care Professionals
    • Rabies
    • Reportable Diseases
    • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
    • Tick-Borne Diseases
    • Tuberculosis (TB)
    • West Nile Virus
  • Immunizations and Vaccines
    • Adult Immunization
    • Child Immunization and School Clinics
    • Influenza (Flu)
    • Report Immunizations Online
    • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
    • Travel Health
    • Vaccine Safety
  • Injury Prevention and Safety
    • Bike Safety
    • Car Seat Safety and Booster Seats
    • Child Safety
    • Falls
    • Healthy Aging
    • Off-roading Safety
    • Playgrounds
    • Preventing Concussions
    • Road and Traffic Safety
  • Mental Health
    • Connection
    • Counselling
    • Crisis and Suicide Prevention
    • Perinatal Mood Disorders
  • Pregnancy
    • Infections in Pregnancy
    • Online Prenatal Classes
    • Perinatal Mood Disorders
    • Planning for Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Options
    • Prenatal, Breastfeeding, and Parenting Services
  • School Health
    • Educators
    • Parents
    • School-Based Public Health Clinics
  • Sexual Health and Clinics
    • Birth Control
    • Human Development and Sexual Health Educator Resources
    • Pregnancy Options
    • Sexual Health Decisions
    • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
    • Supporting 2SLGBTQI+ Health

The Small Drinking Water System Regulation 319/08 is enforced by Durham Region Health Department. Public health inspectors (PHI) conduct on-site risk assessments of all Small Drinking Water Systems (SDWS) including seasonal trailer parks, community centres, restaurants, libraries, motels, churches, gas stations and other public facilities not served by municipal water and where the public has access to water.

Owner/operator requirements

Upon completion of a risk assessment, a PHI will determine what must be done by the owner/operator of the system to help keep the drinking water safe, this can include water treatment, water testing, and/or training.

Each SDWS owner/operator is required to register with the Health Department to obtain their own unique identification number for each SDWS. To register a system, the Small Drinking Water System Identification form must be completed and submitted to the Health Department. If you are unsure if your system is a SDWS, contact the Health Department.

As a SDWS owner/operator, you must also register with a commercially licensed laboratory for water testing. It is recommended that the owner/operator registers with at least two commercial licensed laboratories. When registering a SDWS with a licensed laboratory, the owner/operator of a SDWS must also complete a Laboratory Services Notification (LSN) form and submit this documentation to the Health Department.

List of laboratories licensed to perform drinking water tests in Ontario

Operator fact sheets
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Get to know the law: Regulations
  • Get to know the law: Directives
  • Source water
  • Treatment options
  • Operator training
  • Sampling and testing
  • Responding to adverse events
Training

As an owner/operator of a Small Drinking Water System (SDWS), you must receive training to obtain the required level of knowledge to operate a SDWS. A level of training is required for all SDWS owner/operators. Training requirements are specified in a directive specific to your SDWS.

Training may include any of the following:

  • The Basics or Advanced courses for Small Drinking Water Systems offered by Walkerton Clean Water Centre.
  • Information and/or courses offered/recommended by the manufacturer of treatment devices or by the public health inspector.
  • Courses offered by the Ministry of Environment Conservation Parks (MECP).
  • Courses offered through local community colleges, professional associations or private providers.
  • Government agency training courses.

For specific information on available training courses visit the Walkerton Clean Water Centre website or any of the above-mentioned sources.

Be sure to check back frequently for newly posted courses offered in Durham Region and the surrounding areas.

Please note: Unless the system is supported by a service company with appropriately trained staff or the owner/operator can provide sufficient evidence that they are able to maintain the operation of the equipment, a minimum level basic or advanced training will be required.

Forms

  • Small Drinking Water System Identification form
  • Reopening a Small Drinking Water System
  • Laboratory Services Notification (LSN) form

Submit your notification form(s) online

Reporting an adverse water quality incident

When something goes wrong with a Small Drinking Water System, the event may be referred to as an adverse drinking water quality incident (AWQI). An AWQI can be, but is not limited to, an adverse sample result, no free available chlorine (FAC) in a distribution system, or failure of a UV treatment device. Once you become aware of an adverse water test result for your SDWS or if you see that the drinking water directed to users is not properly disinfected (treated), you must:

  • Immediately stop the supply of water to users.
  • Immediately report the event to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) by speaking with a Health Department representative in person or on the phone. A public health inspector is available to take these reports during regular office hours Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by telephone. Please do not leave a message. If reporting an adverse water quality incident outside of regular office hours, please call the Health Department to speak to a public health inspector.

Important: In addition to immediately reporting an AWQI verbally, you must also send a written notice to the Health Department MOH within 24 hours using the Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution form. Complete Section 2 of the form. The form can be faxed, emailed or hand delivered to the Health Department.


Notice of issue resolution

Once an adverse water quality incident (AWQI) is resolved, the owner or designated operator must provide a written notice to the Health Department within seven days. The notice of issue resolution summarizes the actions taken to resolve the AWQI and the results achieved. Section 2 of the Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution form should be updated and re-submitted. The form can be faxed, emailed or hand delivered to the Health Department.


Check&GO! Durham logoDisclosure

To fulfill the requirements of the Ontario Public Health Standards and in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water and Fluoride Monitoring Protocol, the Durham Region Health Department publicly discloses a summary report of each routine and complaint based inspection and drinking water advisory for all Small Drinking Water Systems.

Every owner/operator of a Small Drinking Water System must post Check&GO! signage in a conspicuous location at their facility. Check&GO! signage will be provided by your public health inspector.

Receive email updates

Contact Us

Region of Durham logo

Living HereDiscovering DurhamDoing BusinessHealth and WellnessRegional Government

© 2025 Durham Region, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3, Canada, Telephone (within regional limits): 311, Telephone: 905-668-7711, Toll-Free: 1-800-372-1102

Terms of UsePrivacyCareersA to Z ServicesContact UsSitemap
By GHD Digital