Water quality frequently asked questions
- How is drinking water quality regulated?
- How is drinking water tested for quality?
- Why does my water appear to be slightly blue?
- How hard is our drinking water?
- Is our water fluoridated?
- Why does my water sometimes appear cloudy?
- What could cause our water to have taste/odour?
- Is there lead in our water?
- What is the blue/green stain in my bathtub?
- What chemicals are added to the water?
- Are there any health risks associated with using chlorine in the water?
- What are trihalomethanes?
- Do we have any pesticides, industrial chemicals, or wastewater pollution in our water source?
- Who can I call if I have a specific health concern with the water?
How is drinking water quality regulated?
Our drinking water quality is regulated by the BC Drinking Water Protection Regulation (BCDWPR) under the Drinking Water Protection Act, promulgated in 2001. The BCDWPR requires drinking water purveyors to hold an Operating Permit issued by Vancouver Coastal Health upon demonstrating an approved water supply, effective monitoring and reporting, and emergency response plan. In accordance with this, Metro Vancouver (as the source water provider) tests and treats the supply water before delivery to its member municipalities. The City of Vancouver further monitors and tests the drinking water once it enters the distribution system.
Water quality samples are tested against the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and standards set out in the British Columbia Drinking Water Protection Act.
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How is drinking water tested for quality?
To ensure our drinking water is clean and safe for consumption, an extensive list of water quality parameters is tested. The source waters are monitored by Metro Vancouver for turbidity, pH, micro-organisms (bacteria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium), volatile organic compounds, disinfection by-products, herbicides, pesticides, radioisotopes, and metals.
In the water distribution system, the City of Vancouver monitors temperature, pH, turbidity, chlorine residuals, micro organisms (bacteria, including e-coli), disinfection by-products and metals. The physical and chemical properties are tested directly at each of the 53 sampling stations, whereas the microbiological samples collected at each site are submitted to the BC Centre for Disease Control for analysis.
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Why does my water appear to be slightly blue?
Vancouver residents receiving filtered water from the Capilano-Seymour Filtration Plant may have noticed a slight blue hue to the water. This is because the filtered water is lower in turbidity and dissolved organic substances which tend to control the appearance of the water when it is not filtered. Pure water has a blue hue because it absorbs light in the red part of the spectrum. The blue colour is more noticeable when the water is in a white container, such as a white bathtub.
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How hard is our drinking water?
Our water is soft (low in dissolved minerals). In terms of calcium carbonate the average hardness is 4.5mg/l or < 0.5 gpg.
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Is our water fluoridated?
No. Our water is not fluoridated. It has less than 0.05 mg/l of natural fluoride. Please consult your dentist if you require fluoride treatment.
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Why does my water sometimes appear cloudy?
Water turbidity (cloudy water) can increase as a result of extremely heavy rainfall on the steep mountainous terrain above the region's water supply lakes. Turbidity occurs when sediment is transported into water reservoirs by runoff. Water quality in Metro Vancouver's source reservoirs is closely monitored. In times of increased turbidity disinfection levels are increased to maximize water quality.
Localized turbidity events can also occur from watermain flushing or construction work within the distribution system. When this occurs, you may want to wait until the water clears (usually within a few hours) or flush your taps until it runs clear again. Running your taps for a just few minutes is usually enough to let the sediment flush out of the system.
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What could cause our water to have taste/odour?
Our water is treated with chlorine, and only a small amount of chlorine is used for disinfection. If you are sensitive to this slight taste/odour, try keeping a jug of cold tap water in the refrigerator for drinking. The chlorine will readily dissipate from the jug.
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Is there lead in our water?
The amount of lead in our distribution system is very low, well below the Canada Health guidelines for drinking water. However, household plumbing systems built before 1989 may have lead based solder and brass faucets that can leach lead when water sits stagnant. By letting the tap run cold before use, you can ensure your water will meet the Health Canada guidelines for metals. To avoid water wastage, use this water on your plants.
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What is the blue/green stain in my bathtub?
Blue/green stains on shower curtains and bathtubs are very common in the Lower Mainland. The stain comes from a reaction between Vancouver's soft water and copper piping, commonly found in household plumbing. When the water sits stagnant for extended periods, the copper pipes can corrode, releasing small amounts of dissolved copper into the water. This copper binds with the soap residue in your bath and produces a stain. The stain can easily be removed with a household cleaner. Lowering the temperature of the hot water can help reduce the staining problem and save money on your heating bill.
Copper concentrations found in the water distribution system is not a health concern. Health Canada has set an aesthetic objective of <1.0 mg/L of copper in drinking water, and the City of Vancouver tests metals concentrations semi annually against Health Canada's guidelines with good results. By letting the tap run for 15 to 30 seconds before use, ensures your water will meet the Health Canada aesthetic guideline for copper in drinking water. To avoid waste, save this water for plant watering.
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What chemicals are added to the water?
Sodium hypochlorite is added to drinking water at the secondary disinfection stations. It is a chlorine-based solution, similar to household bleach but with twice the strength, that is used throughout the world for water disinfection since 1908.
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Are there any health risks associated with using chlorine in the water?
Chlorine is safe at the levels used for water treatment. Chlorine is the most widely used disinfectant in North America because of its ability to form residuals and its effectiveness against a wide range of disease causing microorganisms. The benefits of chlorination far outweigh the known risk of bacteria in the water. However, water consumers with specific concerns about chlorine should contact their doctors.
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What are thrihalomethanes?
When chlorine mixes with natural organic materials in the water, trihalomethanes are produced. These organic chemical compounds are suspected carcinogens. The levels of disinfection by-products meet current health standard and the level of risk is extremely low, even after a lifetime of consumption. Health Canada has set a standard of 100 ppb (part per billion) as the safe maximum level in drinking water. The highest average concentration recorded in 2005 was 54.0 ppb.
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Do we have any pesticides, industrial chemicals, or wastewater pollution in our water source?
Unlike most cities, there are no communities, agriculture, or industry within the watershed areas, thus eliminating the possibility of water contamination resulting from their activities. As well, Metro Vancouver has a closed watershed policy and a Watershed Security program to restrict access to the watersheds.
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Who can I call if I have a specific health concern with the water?
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority at 604.675.3800
Want to know more?
City of Vancouver: Water Quality Program
Phone: 604.873.7351
E-mail:waterquality@vancouver.ca
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