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Small Drinking Water Systems
A small drinking water system:
- Can be privately or publicly owned or operated
- Provides drinking water to the public
If you own and/or operate a business or facility that has its own drinking water system that uses water from a well or cistern, then you likely own and operate a small drinking water system. Small drinking water systems are usually located in the rural areas of Hamilton where municipal water is not available, and include the following types of business or facilities:
- restaurants
- seasonal trailer parks and campgrounds
- hotels, motels, Bed and Breakfast’s and other places that provide overnight accommodation to travellers
- churches and places of worship
- recreational facilities
- municipal parks
- sports and leisure facilities
- private clubs or fraternal organizations
- places where the public has access to a drinking fountain, shower or a washroom
Regulations for Small Drinking Water Systems
Regulations under the Health Protection and Promotion Act require owners of small drinking water systems to provide consistently safe drinking water to their users.
The following information will help you understand your responsibilities for small drinking water systems:
- Small Drinking Water Systems Responsibilities
- Know the Law – Directives on Small Drinking Water Systems (PDF, 453 KB)
- Know the Law – Regulations on Small Drinking Water Systems (PDF, 452 KB)
- Source Water for Your Small Drinking Water System (PDF, 457 KB)
- How to Ensure Your Water is Safe: Operator Training (PDF, 445 KB)
Operator requirements before providing water
There are two forms you need to complete and submit before you provide water from a new small drinking water system.
- Complete the Small Drinking Water System Notification form (PDF, 59 KB)
- before you provide water from a new small drinking water system
- before you provide water again if your small drinking water system has been shut down for more than 60 consecutive days
- if you have altered your small drinking water system
- Complete the Small Drinking Water System Operator Designation form (PDF, 183 KB) to designate an operator of the small drinking water system to help meet your regulatory requirements.
You can submit both of these forms by mail, by fax or in-person to:
Public Health Services
Safe Water Program
Robert Thomson Building
110 King Street West, 2nd Floor
Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4S6
Fax: 905-546-2787
Adverse Water Quality and Treatment for Small Drinking Water Systems
Owners and operators of small drinking water systems regulated under Ontario Regulations 318/319 are required to report incidents of adverse water quality to Hamilton Public Health Services. To report an adverse drinking water quality incident call Public Health:
- Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at 905-546-2424 ext. 2189
- After hours, weekends and holidays at 905-546-3500 and ask for an on-call public health inspector
Use the Notice of Adverse Test Results and Issue Resolution form to provide corrective action and issue resolution to Public Health Services within 24 hours of receiving an adverse test results. Submit the form by fax to 905-546-2787.
Maintaining and treating small drinking water systems
The following resources explain procedures used for maintaining and treating small drinking water systems:
- Sampling and Testing Small Drinking Water Systems (PDF, 464 KB)
- How to Respond to Adverse Events with Small Drinking Water Systems (PDF, 473 KB)
- Treatment Options for Small Drinking Water Systems (PDF, 481 KB)
- Procedure for Corrective Action for Small Drinking Water Systems that are Not Currently Using Chlorine
- Procedure for Disinfection of Drinking Water in Ontario
Contact us
For more information:
- Phone the Safe Water Infoline: 905-546-2189
- Email: [email protected]
- Date modified: