Drinking water
Protecting water at its source is a crucial first step in Ontario’s approach to delivering safe drinking water. When you turn on your tap, you can be confident that your drinking water is among the best protected in the world.
Protecting source water
Learn about Ontario’s award-winning drinking water protection framework to ensure water quality. The first step in having clean water to drink is protecting the local, natural sources of water that supply our local systems. This is called source protection.
Working with First Nations to improve drinking water
Learn about Ontario’s collaborative work with First Nations communities and the federal government to support the elimination of long-term drinking water advisories, build local capacity and ensure the long-term sustainability of drinking water on reserves.
Email us with any questions related to drinking water.
Drinking water systems
Municipal drinking water systems
Over 80% of Ontarians receive their drinking water from municipal residential drinking water systems.
Non-municipal drinking water systems
Ontario residents living in mobile home parks and selected residential facilities may be serviced by non-municipal drinking water systems.
Wells on your property
Information and rules for residential well owners for the proper location, construction, maintenance and abandonment of a well.
Small Drinking Water Systems
If your business makes drinking water available to the public and you do not get your drinking water from a municipal drinking water system, you may be an owner or operator of a small drinking water system.
Water testing
Drinking water test labs: accreditation and licensing
How to get a licence to test drinking water at a lab in Ontario
Flushing and sampling for lead
Rules for schools, private schools and child care centres to flush plumbing and test drinking water for lead.
Training and certification
Reports
Minister’s annual report on drinking water (2023)
Read an overview of our programs, policies and initiatives to protect drinking water in Ontario.
2022-2023 Chief Drinking Water Inspector annual report
The Chief Drinking Water Inspector Annual Report provides information on the performance of Ontario’s regulated drinking water systems and laboratories, drinking water test results, and enforcement activities and programs.
The Walkerton Report
Recommendations from Walkerton on the future safety of drinking water in Ontario.