The Safe Drinking Water Act , or SDWA, was enacted by the Province of Ontario after the events in Walkerton and were based on Justice O'Connor's recommendations after the Walkerton Inquiry. The SDWA requires owners of a municipal drinking water system to get and maintain a Municipal Drinking Water Licence (Licence). In order to get the Licence and renew it every five years, municipalities must have:

  • Drinking Water Works Permit (renewed every five years with the Licence)
  • Permit to Take Water (does not apply to Port Colborne)
  • Accredited Operating Authority
  • Operational Plan
  • Financial Plan

See the Safe Drinking Water Act for more information.

See the Walkerton Inquiry for more information.

Drinking Water Quality Management System

The Drinking Water Quality Management System, or DWQMS, is a set of policies, procedures and objectives that the City uses to ensure the consistent delivery of clean, safe drinking water to our community. The Operational Plan details Port Colborne's DWQMS and includes the Quality Policy that summarizes the City's commitment to providing CLEAN drinking water.

An Operating Authority:

  • Establishes and maintains the DWQMS that meets the requirements of Ontario's Drinking Water Quality Management Standard, (Standard). See Ontario's Drinking Water Quality Management Standard for more information.
  • Is granted accreditation by a Ministry-approved accreditation body after a third party audit verifies that the DWQMS meets the requirements of the Standard.

The City of Port Colborne's Engineering and Operations Department is the Operating Authority for the Port Colborne Distribution System and has received a Certificate of Accreditation.

See our Certificate of Accreditation for more information.

Financial Plan

The Port Colborne Distribution System Financial Plan is a ten-year forecast of operating and capital expenditures approved by Council. When renewing the Licence, the Financial Plan must be valid for the term of the Licence.

See our Financial Plan for more information.

Learn More: 

See the Drinking Water Quality Management System Information for Residents and Water Users for more information.

See the Drinking Water Quality Management System Information and Acknowledgement for Suppliers and Contractors for more information.

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Drinking Water

See the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks drinking water page for more information.