Location: Ministry Home > News > 2003 News Releases > Media Backgrounder

Media Backgrounder

For immediate release
December 15, 2003

NEW INSPECTORS TO SAFEGUARD ONTARIO’S DRINKING WATER

Strong public services are essential for a high quality of life and a growing economy. One of our basic public services is to keep our drinking water safe.

The McGuinty government is putting public safety first — for a change — by hiring 33 new, full-time water inspectors, investigators and other compliance staff. Of the 33 new staff, 20 will be drinking water inspectors — raising the total number of inspectors from 81 to 101, an increase of 25 per cent. The other 13 staff include six investigators, four staff for the Spills Action Centre, one scientist and two program support workers.

How do water inspectors protect our drinking water?

Drinking water inspectors conduct inspections of municipal drinking water systems and laboratories that test drinking water. They inspect systems, observe facility operations, review records, take water samples and interview staff. Inspectors determine if a system is in violation of drinking water rules and regulations and can order a facility to take corrective action.

The Ministry of the Environment inspects all municipal water systems annually. One third of inspections are unannounced. Where problems are found, the ministry conducts follow-up inspections within one year to verify that the facility owner has taken corrective action.

What is the role of investigators?

In addition to issuing orders to correct any violations, inspectors can refer cases to the ministry’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch. An investigator will explore incidents more fully and the investigation could lead to charges being laid.

Four of the new staff will work at the Spills Action Centre — what does it do?

When pollutants are spilled into the environment — for example, into a lake or stream — the ministry ensures that whoever is responsible for the spill contains it and cleans up the site. The Spills Action Centre, staffed on a 24-hour basis, receives and records province-wide reports of spills and co-ordinates appropriate responses.

The new staff at the Spills Action Centre will enable the ministry to provide better province-wide support for dealing with drinking water problems. The new inspectors will work with the Spills Action Centre to improve the ministry’s field response to spills that affect drinking water systems across Ontario.

How does this new compliance staff fit in with Commissioner O’Connor’s recommendations about the inspection of water systems?

These additional staff will give the Ministry of the Environment more capacity to meet Commissioner O’Connor’s recommendations on inspection including:

• A more comprehensive inspections protocol;
• Continued commitment to annual inspection of municipal systems;
• Adequate resources to ensure thorough and effective inspections;
• At least yearly inspection of systems with significant deficiencies; and,
• A combination of announced and unannounced inspections.

–30 –