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O. Reg. 169/03: ONTARIO DRINKING WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
under Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 32
Skip to contentSafe Drinking Water Act, 2002
ONTARIO REGULATION 169/03
ONTARIO drinking water quality standards
Historical version for the period January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017.
Last amendment: O. Reg. 457/16.
This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.
Standards
1. The standards set out in Schedules 1, 2 and 3 are prescribed as drinking water quality standards for the purposes of the Act. O. Reg. 169/03, s. 1.
Deemed compliance
2. (1) A person who, pursuant to section 10 of the Act or otherwise, has an obligation to ensure that water meets a standard set out in Schedule 1, 2 or 3 shall be deemed not to have contravened the obligation if, in circumstances where the water does not meet the standard, the person immediately contacts the medical officer of health and takes such other steps as are directed by the medical officer of health. O. Reg. 169/03, s. 2 (1).
(2) Despite subsection (1), the owner or operating authority of a drinking water system that provides water that does not meet a standard set out in Schedule 1, 2 or 3 shall be deemed not to have contravened paragraph 1 of subsection 11 (1) of the Act only if the owner or operating authority ensures that the appropriate corrective action is taken under Schedule 17 or 18 to Ontario Regulation 170/03 (Drinking Water Systems). O. Reg. 169/03, s. 2 (2); O. Reg. 255/05, s. 1; O. Reg. 327/08, s. 1.
3. Omitted (provides for coming into force of provisions of the English version of this Regulation). O. Reg. 169/03, s. 3.
SCHEDULE 1
MICROBIOLOGICAL STANDARDS
|
Item |
Microbiological Parameter |
Standard (expressed as a maximum) |
|
1. |
Escherichia coli (E. coli) |
Not detectable |
|
2. |
Revoked: O. Reg. 248/06, s. 1. |
|
|
3. |
Total coliforms |
Not detectable |
|
4. |
Revoked: O. Reg. 248/06, s. 1. |
|
|
5. |
Revoked: O. Reg. 248/06, s. 1. |
|
O. Reg. 169/03, Sched. 1; O. Reg. 248/06, s. 1.
Schedule 2
CHEMICAL STANDARDS
|
Item |
Chemical Parameter |
Standard (expressed as a maximum concentration in milligrams per litre) |
|
1. |
Alachlor |
0.005 |
|
2. |
Antimony |
0.006 |
|
3. |
Arsenic |
0.025 |
|
4. |
Atrazine + N-dealkylated metabolites |
0.005 |
|
5. |
Azinphos-methyl |
0.02 |
|
6. |
Barium |
1.0 |
|
7. |
Benzene |
0.001 |
|
8. |
Benzo(a)pyrene |
0.00001 |
|
9. |
Boron |
5.0 |
|
10. |
Bromate |
0.01 |
|
11. |
Bromoxynil |
0.005 |
|
12. |
Cadmium |
0.005 |
|
13. |
Carbaryl |
0.09 |
|
14. |
Carbofuran |
0.09 |
|
15. |
Carbon Tetrachloride |
0.002 |
|
16. |
Chloramines |
3.0 |
16.1 |
Chlorate |
1.0 |
16.2 |
Chlorite |
1.0 |
|
17. |
Chlorpyrifos |
0.09 |
|
18. |
Chromium |
0.05 |
|
19. |
Cyanide |
0.2 |
|
20. |
Diazinon |
0.02 |
|
21. |
Dicamba |
0.12 |
|
22. |
1,2-Dichlorobenzene |
0.2 |
|
23. |
1,4-Dichlorobenzene |
0.005 |
|
24. |
1,2-Dichloroethane |
0.005 |
|
25. |
1,1-Dichloroethylene (vinylidene chloride) |
0.014 |
|
26. |
Dichloromethane |
0.05 |
|
27. |
2,4-Dichlorophenol |
0.9 |
|
28. |
2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) |
0.1 |
|
29. |
Diclofop-methyl |
0.009 |
|
30. |
Dimethoate |
0.02 |
|
31. |
Dioxin and Furan |
0.000000015 a |
|
32. |
Diquat |
0.07 |
|
33. |
Diuron |
0.15 |
|
34. |
Fluoride |
1.5 |
|
35. |
Glyphosate |
0.28 |
|
36. |
Lead |
0.010 |
|
37. |
Malathion |
0.19 |
|
38. |
Mercury |
0.001 |
38.1 |
2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid |
0.1 |
|
39. |
Metolachlor |
0.05 |
|
40. |
Metribuzin |
0.08 |
|
41. |
Microcystin LR |
0.0015 |
|
42. |
Monochlorobenzene |
0.08 |
|
43. |
Nitrate (as nitrogen) |
10.0 |
|
44. |
Nitrite (as nitrogen) |
1.0 |
|
45. |
Nitrate + Nitrite (as nitrogen) |
10.0 |
|
46. |
Nitrilotriacetic Acid (NTA) |
0.4 |
|
47. |
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) |
0.000009 |
|
48. |
Paraquat |
0.01 |
|
49. |
Pentachlorophenol |
0.06 |
|
50. |
Phorate |
0.002 |
|
51. |
Picloram |
0.19 |
|
52. |
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) |
0.003 |
|
53. |
Prometryne |
0.001 |
|
54. |
Selenium |
0.01 |
|
55. |
Simazine |
0.01 |
|
56. |
Terbufos |
0.001 |
|
57. |
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) |
0.03 |
|
58. |
2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol |
0.1 |
|
59. |
Triallate |
0.23 |
|
60. |
Trichloroethylene |
0.005 |
|
61. |
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol |
0.005 |
|
62. |
Trifluralin |
0.045 |
|
63. |
Trihalomethanes |
0.100 b |
|
64. |
Uranium |
0.02 |
|
65. |
Vinyl Chloride |
0.001 |
Footnotes:
a Total toxic equivalents when compared with 2,3,7,8-TCDD (tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin).
b This standard is expressed as a running annual average of quarterly results.
O. Reg. 373/15, s. 1 (1, 3-5, 7, 8).
Note: On July 1, 2017, Item 31 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (1))
|
31. |
Dioxin and Furan |
0.000000015 (Total toxic equivalents when compared with 2,3,7,8-TCDD (tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin)) |
Note: On July 1, 2017, Schedule 2 to the Regulation is amended by adding the following item: (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (2))
|
33.1 |
Ethylbenzene |
0.14 |
Note: On July 1, 2017, Item 45 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation is revoked. (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (4))
Note: On July 1, 2017, Item 54 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (5))
|
54. |
Selenium |
0.05 |
Note: On July 1, 2017, Item 57 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (5))
|
57. |
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) |
0.01 |
Note: On July 1, 2017, Schedule 2 to the Regulation is amended by adding the following item: (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (6))
|
58.1 |
Toluene |
0.06 |
Note: On July 1, 2017, Item 63 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (7))
|
63. |
Trihalomethanes |
0.100 (expressed as a running annual average of quarterly results) |
Note: On July 1, 2017, Schedule 2 to the Regulation is amended by adding the following item: (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (8))
|
66. |
Xylenes |
0.09 |
Note: On July 1, 2017, the footnotes to Schedule 2 are revoked. (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (9))
Note: On January 1, 2018, Item 3 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation is amended by striking out “0.025” in Column 3 and substituting “0.01”. (See: O. Reg. 373/15, s. 1 (2))
Note: On January 1, 2020, Schedule 2 to the Regulation is amended by adding the following item: (See: O. Reg. 373/15, s. 1 (6))
35.1 |
Haloacetic acids |
0.08 b |
Note: On July 1, 2017, Item 35.1 of Schedule 2 to the Regulation, as made by section 1 of Ontario Regulation 373/15, is amended by striking out “0.08b” in Column 3 and substituting “0.08 (expressed as a running annual average of quarterly results)”. (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 1 (3))
SCHEDULE 3
RADIOLOGICAL STANDARDS
|
Item |
Radiological Parameter |
Standard (expressed as a maximum in becquerels per litre) |
|
Natural Radionuclides |
||
|
1. |
Beryllium-7 |
4000.0 |
|
2. |
Bismuth -210 |
70.0 |
|
3. |
Lead-210 |
0.1 |
|
4. |
Polonium-210 |
0.2 |
|
5. |
Radium-224 |
2.0 |
|
6. |
Radium-226 |
0.6 |
|
7. |
Radium-228 |
0.5 |
|
8. |
Thorium-228 |
2.0 |
|
9. |
Thorium-230 |
0.4 |
|
10. |
Thorium-232 |
0.1 |
|
11. |
Thorium-234 |
20.0 |
|
12. |
Uranium-234 |
4.0 |
|
13. |
Uranium-235 |
4.0 |
|
14. |
Uranium-238 |
4.0 |
|
Artificial Radionuclides |
||
|
15. |
Americium-241 |
0.2 |
|
16. |
Antimony-122 |
50.0 |
|
17. |
Antimony-124 |
40.0 |
|
18. |
Antimony-125 |
100.0 |
|
19. |
Barium-140 |
40.0 |
|
20. |
Bromine-82 |
300.0 |
|
21. |
Calcium-45 |
200.0 |
|
22. |
Calcium-47 |
60.0 |
|
23. |
Carbon-14 |
200.0 |
|
24. |
Cerium-141 |
100.0 |
|
25. |
Cerium-144 |
20.0 |
|
26. |
Cesium-131 |
2000.0 |
|
27. |
Cesium-134 |
7.0 |
|
28. |
Cesium-136 |
50.0 |
|
29. |
Cesium-137 |
10.0 |
|
30. |
Chromium-51 |
3000.0 |
|
31. |
Cobalt-57 |
40.0 |
|
32. |
Cobalt-58 |
20.0 |
|
33. |
Cobalt-60 |
2.0 |
|
34. |
Gallium-67 |
500.0 |
|
35. |
Gold-198 |
90.0 |
|
36. |
Indium-111 |
400.0 |
|
37. |
Iodine-125 |
10.0 |
|
38. |
Iodine-129 |
1.0 |
|
39. |
Iodine-131 |
6.0 |
|
40. |
Iron-55 |
300.0 |
|
41. |
Iron-59 |
40.0 |
|
42. |
Manganese-54 |
200.0 |
|
43. |
Mercury-197 |
400.0 |
|
44. |
Mercury-203 |
80.0 |
|
45. |
Molybdenum-99 |
70.0 |
|
46. |
Neptunium-239 |
100.0 |
|
47. |
Niobium-95 |
200.0 |
|
48. |
Phosphorus-32 |
50.0 |
|
49. |
Plutonium-238 |
0.3 |
|
50. |
Plutonium-239 |
0.2 |
|
51. |
Plutonium-240 |
0.2 |
|
52. |
Plutonium-241 |
10.0 |
|
53. |
Rhodium-105 |
300.0 |
|
54. |
Rubidium-81 |
3000.0 |
|
55. |
Rubidium-86 |
50.0 |
|
56. |
Ruthenium-103 |
100.0 |
|
57. |
Ruthenium-106 |
10.0 |
|
58. |
Selenium-75 |
70.0 |
|
59. |
Silver-108m |
70.0 |
|
60. |
Silver-110m |
50.0 |
|
61. |
Silver-111 |
70.0 |
|
62. |
Sodium-22 |
50.0 |
|
63. |
Strontium-85 |
300.0 |
|
64. |
Strontium-89 |
40.0 |
|
65. |
Strontium-90 |
5.0 |
|
66. |
Sulphur-35 |
500.0 |
|
67. |
Technetium-99 |
200.0 |
|
68. |
Technetium-99m |
7000.0 |
|
69. |
Tellurium-129m |
40.0 |
|
70. |
Tellurium-131m |
40.0 |
|
71. |
Tellurium-132 |
40.0 |
|
72. |
Thallium-201 |
2000.0 |
|
73. |
Tritium |
7000.0 |
|
74. |
Ytterbium-169 |
100.0 |
|
75. |
Yttrium-90 |
30.0 |
|
76. |
Yttrium-91 |
30.0 |
|
77. |
Zinc-65 |
40.0 |
|
78. |
Zirconium-95 |
100.0 |
Notes:
Radionuclide concentrations that exceed the standard may be tolerated for a short period, as long as the annual average concentrations remain below the standard and the restriction (see immediately below) for multiple radionuclides is met.
Restrictions for multiple radionuclides: If two or more radionuclides are present, the following relationship, based on International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 26, must be satisfied and, if not satisfied, the standard shall be considered to have been exceeded:
where
c1, c2 and ci are the observed concentrations, and C1, C2 and Ci are the maximum acceptable concentrations for each contributing radionuclide.
O. Reg. 169/03, Sched. 3.
Note: On July 1, 2017, Schedule 3 to the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted: (See: O. Reg. 457/16, s. 2)
SCHEDULE 3
RADIOLOGICAL STANDARDS
Table 1
Natural Radionuclides
|
Item |
Radiological Parameter |
Standard (expressed as a maximum in becquerels per litre) |
|
1. |
Beryllium-7 |
4000.0 |
|
2. |
Bismuth -210 |
70.0 |
|
3. |
Lead-210 |
0.1 |
|
4. |
Polonium-210 |
0.2 |
|
5. |
Radium-224 |
2.0 |
|
6. |
Radium-226 |
0.6 |
|
7. |
Radium-228 |
0.5 |
|
8. |
Thorium-228 |
2.0 |
|
9. |
Thorium-230 |
0.4 |
|
10. |
Thorium-232 |
0.1 |
|
11. |
Thorium-234 |
20.0 |
|
12. |
Uranium-234 |
4.0 |
|
13. |
Uranium-235 |
4.0 |
|
14. |
Uranium-238 |
4.0 |
Table 2
Artificial Radionuclides
|
Item |
Radiological Parameter |
Standard (expressed as a maximum in becquerels per litre) |
|
1. |
Americium-241 |
0.2 |
|
2. |
Antimony-122 |
50.0 |
|
3. |
Antimony-124 |
40.0 |
|
4. |
Antimony-125 |
100.0 |
|
5. |
Barium-140 |
40.0 |
|
6. |
Bromine-82 |
300.0 |
|
7. |
Calcium-45 |
200.0 |
|
8. |
Calcium-47 |
60.0 |
|
9. |
Carbon-14 |
200.0 |
|
10. |
Cerium-141 |
100.0 |
|
11. |
Cerium-144 |
20.0 |
|
12. |
Cesium-131 |
2000.0 |
|
13. |
Cesium-134 |
7.0 |
|
14. |
Cesium-136 |
50.0 |
|
15. |
Cesium-137 |
10.0 |
|
16. |
Chromium-51 |
3000.0 |
|
17. |
Cobalt-57 |
40.0 |
|
18. |
Cobalt-58 |
20.0 |
|
19. |
Cobalt-60 |
2.0 |
|
20. |
Gallium-67 |
500.0 |
|
21. |
Gold-198 |
90.0 |
|
22. |
Indium-111 |
400.0 |
|
23. |
Iodine-125 |
10.0 |
|
24. |
Iodine-129 |
1.0 |
|
25. |
Iodine-131 |
6.0 |
|
26. |
Iron-55 |
300.0 |
|
27. |
Iron-59 |
40.0 |
|
28. |
Manganese-54 |
200.0 |
|
29. |
Mercury-197 |
400.0 |
|
30. |
Mercury-203 |
80.0 |
|
31. |
Molybdenum-99 |
70.0 |
|
32. |
Neptunium-239 |
100.0 |
|
33. |
Niobium-95 |
200.0 |
|
34. |
Phosphorus-32 |
50.0 |
|
35. |
Plutonium-238 |
0.3 |
|
36. |
Plutonium-239 |
0.2 |
|
37. |
Plutonium-240 |
0.2 |
|
38. |
Plutonium-241 |
10.0 |
|
39. |
Rhodium-105 |
300.0 |
|
40. |
Rubidium-81 |
3000.0 |
|
41. |
Rubidium-86 |
50.0 |
|
42. |
Ruthenium-103 |
100.0 |
|
43. |
Ruthenium-106 |
10.0 |
|
44. |
Selenium-75 |
70.0 |
|
45. |
Silver-108m |
70.0 |
|
46. |
Silver-110m |
50.0 |
|
47. |
Silver-111 |
70.0 |
|
48. |
Sodium-22 |
50.0 |
|
49. |
Strontium-85 |
300.0 |
|
50. |
Strontium-89 |
40.0 |
|
51. |
Strontium-90 |
5.0 |
|
52. |
Sulphur-35 |
500.0 |
|
53. |
Technetium-99 |
200.0 |
|
54. |
Technetium-99m |
7000.0 |
|
55. |
Tellurium-129m |
40.0 |
|
56. |
Tellurium-131m |
40.0 |
|
57. |
Tellurium-132 |
40.0 |
|
58. |
Thallium-201 |
2000.0 |
|
59. |
Tritium |
7000.0 |
|
60. |
Ytterbium-169 |
100.0 |
|
61. |
Yttrium-90 |
30.0 |
|
62. |
Yttrium-91 |
30.0 |
|
63. |
Zinc-65 |
40.0 |
|
64. |
Zirconium-95 |
100.0 |
Notes:
Radionuclide concentrations that exceed the standard may be tolerated for a short period, as long as the annual average concentrations remain below the standard and the restriction (see immediately below) for multiple radionuclides is met.
Restriction for multiple radionuclides: Based on International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 26, if two or more radionuclides are present, the sum of the quotients of the observed concentration in becquerels per litre divided by the respective standard in becquerels per litre for each of the radionuclides detected must be less than or equal to one.
O. Reg. 457/16, s. 2.