York achieves near perfect score for quality of drinking water

For the second consecutive year, York Region has achieved a near perfect score in the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Chief Drinking Water Inspector's Annual Report.

The Region achieved an overall compliance rating of 99.3 per cent.

"The Province of Ontario has extremely stringent drinking water standards and I am proud to see once again York Region has received a top grade for water quality from the Ministry of the Environment," said York Chairman Bill Fisch. "The Region's water distribution network is quite complex and these marks are testament to the commitment shown by our water and wastewater staff."

The Ministry's Municipal Residential Drinking Water Inspection Protocol contains up to 14 inspection modules and as many as 130 regulatory questions, which span a range administrative procedures to drinking water quality.

York Region's 37 wells, water treatment facilities and distribution systems were subject to 2,390 separate tests by officials with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE).

"York Region has consistently demonstrated that the drinking water provided to our area municipalities is among the safest in the province," said Whitchurch - Stouffville Mayor Wayne Emmerson, chair of the transportation and works committee of Regional council. "The Region is registered to an ISO 9001 quality management system standard, which represents commitment to excellence."

While York scored exceptionally well overall, there were 14 items out of the 2,390 recorded which were considered to be non-compliant. Regional staff have addressed all issues.

None of these non-compliant items posed any threat to public health and safety, the Region reported. They included marginally exceeding permitted groundwater pumping rates and a minor exceedance of a naturally occurring mineral in groundwater.

The water supplies in Ansnorveldt, King City and Nobleton all received perfect scores.

The system in Schomberg got 98.4 per cent, with the region reporting a Certificate of Approval amendment was required by the Ministry of the Environment and will be completed as part of upgrades to the Schomberg Water Supply.