Water Maintenance and Quality (DWQMS)

Justice Dennis R. O’Connor, in Part Two of the Report of the Walkerton Inquiry, recommended the adoption of quality management for municipal 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 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 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.

DWQMS Commitment & Endorsement PDF (signed)

The above document is the formal commitment and endorsement of the QMS and the associated Operational Plan by the Owner (Council) and Operating Authority (Top Management).

This endorsement confirms that the Municipality of Lakeshore is committed to ensuring that a drinking water QMS is developed and implemented according to the requirements of the DWQMS. That these parties are committed to endorsing the contents of the Operational Plan and to demonstrate an on-going dedication to the success of the drinking water QMS program.

This endorsement further confirms a commitment to undertake the necessary steps to ensure that the established QMS complies with all applicable legislation and regulations and assures to identify and provide all resources required for the maintenance and continual improvement of the system.

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 by Council and Top Management, this written endorsement of the Operational Plan will be communicated to relevant parties according to the requirements of DWQMS Element 12 - Communications.