Northwest Territories Drinking Water Quality Database

Drinking Water Quality Database Questions and Answers

Why is there a Northwest Territories online drinking water quality database?

Past drinking water contamination incidents, such as the E. coli outbreak in Walkerton, Ontario, in 1999, which killed 7 people and left hundreds of people ill, and the E. coli outbreak in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, in 2001, have led to greater public concern over the safety of drinking water and have also led to stricter drinking water regulations and guidelines throughout Canada. The Government of the Northwest Territories, working together with communities, has put great effort into monitoring and protecting water and people through items, such as making water quality data available to the public and other interested parties.

The online drinking water quality database is part of many steps and processes involved in Managing Drinking Water Quality in the NWT: A Preventative Framework and Strategy.


Why do we treat our water?

Water is treated in order to kill any disease causing microorganisms, which can be potentially fatal, and to remove any element or chemical that is above the maximum acceptable concentration or aesthetic objective of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Water is also treated to provide safe water that looks clean and has minimal taste and smell.


How do I know if my drinking water is clean and safe to drink?

You, as a community member, would be notified by an authority if your water were not safe to drink.

Drinking water quality in the Northwest Territories is tested on a regular basis for various parameters. In the NWT the Office of the Chief Medical Health Officer sets the Drinking Water Sampling and Testing Requirements which dictate what parameters should be tested and how often. The testing results are then monitored by the local and regional Environmental Health Officers. When a problem is noted, such as water samples that have been found to be positive for E. coli, the Environmental Health Officer has the authority to provide instructions to the community on how to deal with the problem, such as issuing and rescinding a boil water advisory.


Are our water treatment plant operators certified?

The Northwest Territories has a voluntary water treatment plant operator certification program. Work is on-going to formalize the certification process, and consideration is being given to legislating a mandatory operator certification requirement in the future. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut are the only provinces/territories that do not have a mandatory operator certification requirement at present. Most operators in the Northwest Territories have been trained to the level of the water treatment plant that they are working in, and are considered certified under the voluntary program.


Why do I sometimes taste a lot of chlorine in my water?

Chlorine is added to water to kill any disease-causing microorganisms, called pathogens, that may be present. The NWT Public Water Supply Regulations (Public Health Act) requires chlorine disinfection or similar bacteria treatment for all surface water sources and groundwater sources that may be subject to contamination. Chlorine is one of the few bacteria treatments that leaves a residual in the water that continues to fight bacteria that may be present in the distribution system, water truck or household water tanks. It is that residual that can sometimes leave a bleach-like taste and smell in your water.


How can I get rid of the chlorine taste and smell in my drinking water?

It can be as simple as letting a jug of water sit open to the air for a period of time giving the chlorine in the water time leave the water. Other possible solutions could be to use a Brita filter, install a filtration system on the pipes under your kitchen sink that lead to the tap, or to install a faucet-mounted filter. Remember that filters only last so long and must be changed according to schedule.


Who do I call if I have a question about my drinking water?

Call your local or regional Environmental Health Officer.


What is a Boil Water Advisory?

A boil water advisory is announced by an authorized person, such as an Environmental Health Officer, when a treated water sample tests positive for E. coli (which indicates fecal contamination and the possible presence of enteric pathogens, making it unsafe to drink). A boil water advisory would be issued and corrective actions taken.

A boil water advisory may also be announced if consecutive samples from a sample site or more than 10% of samples from the distribution system in a given calendar month show the presence of total coliform bacteria. The presence of total coliforms does not necessarily require a boil water advisory, but corrective actions would be taken.

In the event of an advisory, boil your water at a rolling boil for 1 minute.


Is it safe to drink non-chlorinated water from my community's traditional drinking water source or use melted ice, which I obtained from a local water body, as my drinking water?

No. When drinking non-chlorinated water, there is an increased risk of being exposed to disease-causing microorganisms.