Government of NL Summer 2021 Drinking Water Quality Data is Now Available

• March 11, 2022
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Please be advised that the Summer 2021 Drinking Water Quality Data is now available on the Department of Environment and Climate Change’s webpage via:

https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/waterres/quality/drinkingwater/chemical/

The data has also been updated in the Newfoundland and Labrador Water Resources Portal (NLWRP).

https://maps.gov.nl.ca/water/index.aspx

The Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality in Newfoundland and Labrador can be accessed via:

https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/Guidelines-for-DWQ-in-NL-Sept-2020.pdf

• Aesthetic guidelines are for substances at levels that can affect the taste, look, or smell of drinking water and which can affect its acceptance by consumers, but which usually do not pose any health effects. 
• Contaminant guidelines are for substances at levels that are known or suspected to cause adverse effects on the health of some people when present in concentrations greater than the established Maximum Acceptable Concentrations (MACs) of the GCDWQ. 
• If your community has a public drinking water system and has been receiving exceedance reports based on the guidelines, please contact the Water Resources Management Division for assistance in determining which corrective measure option may be the most suitable for your community: WaterAndSewer@gov.nl.ca 

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs):
Disinfection is an essential component of public drinking water treatment. Chlorine in any form (powder, liquid, or gas) disinfects drinking water, minimizes microbial growth in the water distribution system, and prevents waterborne disease. 

Disinfection by-products form when chlorine is added to water that contains elevated levels of natural organic matter such as decaying leaves and vegetation. 

High levels of disinfection by-products levels are common for surface-based public water supplies in Newfoundland and Labrador because many of them contain high levels of natural organic matter. 

The health risks from disinfection by-products are much less than the risks from consuming water that has not been appropriately disinfected. 

Two of the most common types of DBPs found in chlorinated drinking water are trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). 

• THM data is provided to the public on a regular basis through the following web page: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/waterres/quality/drinkingwater/thm/
• THM summary table for all communities accessed via: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/THM_Avg_Summer2021.pdf
• Note: The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for THMs in drinking water is 0.100 mg/L (100 µg/L) based on a locational running annual average of a minimum of quarterly samples taken in the distribution system. 
• If your community has a public drinking water system with THMs that exceed the MAC, please contact the Water Resources Management Division for assistance in determining which corrective measure option may be the most suitable for your community: WaterAndSewer@gov.nl.ca
• HAA data is provided to the public on a regular basis through the following web page: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/waterres/quality/drinkingwater/haa/

• HAA summary table for all communities accessed via: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/HAA_Avg_Summer2021.pdf
• Note: The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total HAAs in drinking water is 0.080 mg/L (80 µg/L) based on a locational running annual average of a minimum of quarterly samples taken in the distribution system. 
• If your community has a public drinking water system with HAAs that exceed the MAC, please contact the Water Resources Management Division for assistance in determining which corrective measure option may be the most suitable for your community: WaterAndSewer@gov.nl.ca

Funding:
The Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs makes funding available to communities as part of its annual municipal capital works program and strongly encourages communities to avail of this funding for the implementation of corrective measures. 

Further information on funding options can be found via: https://www.gov.nl.ca/mpa/funding/

Questions:
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your drinking water quality please contact your regional ECC office:

Eastern – Christa Skinner at 729-4817 or Ben Hammond at 729-1157
Central – Trent Pollett at 292-4280
Western/Labrador – Carla Hayes at 637-2542