Quick Links
In Ontario, there are approximately 450 non-municipal systems that provide water to people’s homes, such as privately owned systems that serve apartment buildings, private subdivisions and mobile home parks, called non-municipal year-round residential systems.
There are also approximately 1,500 systems that provide water to people who may be more vulnerable to drinking water contamination, such as those using day nurseries, schools and health care centres, called designated facilities.
These systems are regulated by the Ministry of the Environment.
Owners and operators of these systems must ensure their systems—and the water their systems provide—meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The act requires every owner and operator to ensure:
- their system’s water satisfies Ontario’s Drinking Water Quality Standards
- anyone who operates, or works on, their system is properly trained and licensed
- drinking water tests are performed by licensed, accredited laboratories
- adverse test results are reported to the ministry and the local medical officer of health
- and more.
Visit the non-municipal systems section of our online resource library for a complete collection of resources.
If you have questions about your responsibilities, the drinking water help line is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-866-793-2588.
Learn more
- The laws that protect our water
- Current list of laboratories licensed to perform drinking water tests
- Designated facilities systems
- Non-municipal year-round residential systems
