Drinking Water Quality Management System

The Drinking Water Quality Management System, also known as DWQMS, is a set of policies and procedures we use to ensure the consistent delivery of clean, safe drinking water to our community. This was brought in after the events in Walkerton and the Walkerton Inquiry in 2000 based on Justice O’Connor’s recommendation.

Operating Authority

The Safe Drinking Water Act, or SDWA, was enacted in 2002 by the Province of Ontario as a result of events in Walkerton. The SDWA requires owners and operating authorities of municipal residential drinking water systems to have an accredited Operating Authority.

An Operating Authority:

• Establishes and maintains a quality management system that meets the requirements of Ontario’s Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS)

• Is granted accreditation by a Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks approved accreditation body after a third party verifies that the quality management system meets the requirements of the DWQMS

The City of Hamilton has received Full Accreditation for its five Drinking Water Systems (DWS)

• Hamilton Drinking Water System Certificate of Accreditation(PDF, 312.31 KB)

Under the SDWA, operators of a municipal drinking water system must have a licence to manage and operate the system. To get the licence, the Operating Authority must have:

• A Permit to Take Water

• Drinking Water Works Permit

• Accredited Operating Authority

Reports

Operational Plan Summary Report(PDF, 780.02 KB)

• Included in the Operational Plan Summary Report is Hamilton's Drinking Water Quality Management System Policy(PDF, 385.46 KB).
• Reports are available in the DWQMS Operational Plan Binders located at the City Clerk’s office, City Hall and the Hamilton Water Storefront at 330 Wentworth Street North.

Hamilton Water Financial Plan(PDF, 542.13 KB)

• Report is also available as a printed copy at the Hamilton Water Customer Service Area, 330 Wentworth Street North, Hamilton.

Annual Summary Report

The 2025 Hamilton Water Quality Management Systems Annual Summary Report provides an overview of the performance and effectiveness of the City of Hamilton's Drinking Water Quality Management System (DWQMS) and Wastewater Quality Management System (WWQMS).

The report summarizes key activities completed in 2025 to support regulatory compliance, risk management, and continual improvement, including risk assessments, infrastructure reviews, environmental evaluations, audits, and management reviews.

Key highlights include a successful external DWQMS audit, with no non-conformances identified, demonstrating the continued effectiveness of the City's accredited drinking water quality management system. The report also provides an update on the voluntary WWQMS, including progress toward environmental objectives, compliance performance, and ongoing initiatives to enhance wastewater operations.

In addition, the report discusses key challenges, including aging infrastructure and recovery efforts following the cyber incident, and outlines strategic priorities for the 2026 operating year.

DWQMS/WWQMS Annual Summary Report

Alternative formats

If you require these reports in an alternative format such as Braille or large print, call 905-546-2489.