Water Maintenance and Quality

Justice Dennis R. O’Connor, in Part Two of the Report of the Walkerton Inquiry, recommended the adoption of quality management for drinking-water systems. It was also recommended that a standard, specifically designed for drinking-water systems, be developed and implemented in Ontario.

The Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) was implemented by the Province of Ontario to address Justice O’Connor’s recommendation.

The Municipality of Lakeshore Water Supply System is committed to establishing and maintaining a drinking-water Quality Management System (QMS) that is compliant with the DWQMS to facilitate the provision of safe drinking-water to all consumers.

As part of this commitment, the Municipality of Lakeshore also agrees to:

• Ensure that the drinking-water QMS appropriately addresses all aspects of the drinking-water system;
• Comply with all relevant legislative and regulatory requirements for the supply of safe drinking-water;
• Maintain and continually improve the drinking-water QMS; and
• Communicate pertinent operational and water quality information to the Owner of the drinking-water system, consumers, and the public.

Ongoing compliance and continual improvement of the QMS will be achieved through formalized processes. All internal and external communication regarding the drinking water QMS will be conducted in accordance with DWQMS Element 12: Communications (OP-12).

Drinking Water Quality Management System Commitment & Endorsement

DWQMS Commitment & Endorsement PDF (signed)

The Municipality of Lakeshore is committed to ensuring that a drinking-water Quality Management System (QMS) is developed and implemented according to the requirements of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS), Steps will be taken to ensure that the established QMS complies with all applicable legislation and regulations and that all resources required for the maintenance and continual improvement of the system are identified and provided.

The Operational Plan for the drinking-water QMS is reviewed and approved for the Municipality of Lakeshore by Top Management and endorsed by the Municipality of Lakeshore Council. These parties are committed to endorsing the contents of the Operational Plan and demonstrating ongoing dedication to the success of the drinking-water QMS program, The signatories of the Municipality of Lakeshore further commit to ensuring that the drinking-water QMS is regularly assessed to confirm its continued applicability and relevance.

To promote awareness and understanding of the drinking-water QMS, this written endorsement of the Operational Plan will be communicated to relevant parties according to the Communications Policy.