Samples and Results

Drinking water samples collected by municipal partners are sent to accredited and licensed government laboratories for scientific analysis. Samples are tested for more than 270 inorganic, organic, and radiological water quality parameters.

Results are stored electronically and transferred to a database where they are subject to rigorous screening and verification to ensure quality controlled data.

Once verified, the data are provided to municipal partners, ministry staff, other government agencies, academia, consultants, businesses and the public. The data are used to:

support the review of current drinking water quality standards and the development of new standards
characterize the quality of drinking water sources
monitor levels of chemicals occurring in treated drinking water (including water in distribution systems)
establish trends in drinking water quality
identify and track the occurrence of new chemicals and emerging contaminants of concern
assess treatment plant operations and their effects on drinking water quality
assess and report on the state of Ontario's municipal drinking water quality