Seymour reserve – photo courtesy of the District of Metro Vancouver
Seymour watershed - photo courtesy of Metro Vancouver

Your drinking water

Drinking water remains safe to drink

Some residents have noticed an earthy or musty smell/taste in their drinking water. We are working with Metro Vancouver and we continuously monitor water quality. We have confirmed that the drinking water continues to meet federal guidelines and provincial regulations.

Metro Vancouver confirmed that a very low concentration of a compound called geosmin was detected in samples from Seymour reservoir. Geosmin is a harmless, naturally occurring compound produced by bacteria in soil and algae that can lead to an earthy or musty taste and odour in water. Geosmin levels in the Seymour Reservoir are being monitored and are expected to decline over time. In the meantime, Metro Vancouver has adjusted reservoir operations to reduce the portion of regional water coming from Seymour Reservoir to mitigate unpleasant taste and odour.

If you have any questions or concerns, phone 3-1-1 or submit a report online. 

Annual report

We conduct a number of activities and programs to support the excellent quality of drinking water.

Read our Waterworks Utility Annual Report (4 MB)

We work to ensure residents and visitors have the best quality drinking water and we take steps to ensure that it is accessible to everyone. 

Vancouver’s drinking water is purchased from Metro Vancouver . The water comes from rain and snowmelt captured in the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam watersheds.  

Metro Vancouver protects the watersheds and keeps them closed to the public to prevent contamination. The source waters undergo treatment and testing at the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant and Coquitlam Water Treatment plant before distribution to the city.

Submitting backflow assembly test reports

We've contracted Backflow Solutions, Inc. (BSI) to manage an online database management system for tracking backflow test results and information.

There is a $20 fee to file a City test report with BSI. On February 1, 2025, the filing fee will increase to $21.

We no longer accept paper copies of backflow assembly test reports for existing or replacement backflow tests.

Questions about backflow testing and submission? Email the Cross Connection Control team at [email protected].

Drinking water monitoring and results

Learn about Vancouver's water monitoring program, and access water testing reports and results by neighbourhood.

Drinking fountains, handwashing and misting stations

Find water fountains, handwashing stations, and misting stations in Vancouver.

Problems with water quality or pressure

Is your water cloudy or brown? Did the water pressure suddenly change? Find out who to call to resolve problems with your water quality and water pressure.

Key documents

Did you know

What comes out of your faucet is fresh, potable water.Only 3% of the world's water is fresh, and less than 0.33% is available for human use.

Whether you turn on a faucet or set out your sprinkler, the water that spills out is fresh, potable water.

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies

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