Drinking water monitoring and results

Several measures are taken to protect the quality of Vancouver's drinking water

• At the source, Metro Vancouver has a comprehensive system of testing raw water for quality:
  • Filtering and disinfecting the water to prevent or remove biological pathogens.
  • Monitoring the water quality before delivery to member municipalities.
• Once water enters Vancouver's distribution system, we further test water quality from 53 dedicated water sampling stations. Water must comply with the health standards set out in the BC Drinking Water Regulation.
• Additionally, our water-distribution system does not contain lead pipes. Lead pipes and components were eliminated in the 1980s and 1990s. We routinely test water flowing through our distribution system and can confirm lead levels are always within Health Canada’s guidelines.
• We conduct field testing for physical and chemical contaminants. Bacteriological samples are collected and sent to Metro Vancouver's Lake City Operations Centre for analysis.

Providing public reports of water testing results is an important way for us to:

• Keep you informed of Vancouver's overall water quality
• Maintain accountability

Use our interactive water quality map to find drinking water test results in your neighbourhood. Select a sampling station to review results.

Information icon Results are posted daily.

Review water quality results on the interactive map

What drinking water test results show

• Bacteriological quality easily meets health standards.
• Turbidity levels meet health-based guidelines. 
• Water temperature meets aesthetic objectives.