ARE THERE MONSTERS
IN YOUR WATER?

Over the last few months, television and newspaper ads from suppliers of water quality products would have you believe that all sorts of “monsters” are living in your water. These suppliers are offering products ranging from portable water filter containers to in-line filtration devices, bottled water and free drinking water tests as a solution to cleaner water. Are you confused as to what is the correct solution?

We hope the following information will assure you that your water is safe!

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW!

Door-to-door sales people do not represent the City of Vaughan. If a private company offers a free drinking water test, keep in mind that this could be a tactic to sell a water purification device. While selling water treatment devices is not a crime, improper testing of drinking water can be.

WHO CAN TEST DRINKING WATER QUALITY?

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 – Drinking Water Testing Services Regulation, only accredited and licensed laboratories may conduct drinking water quality tests. By law, the laboratories must follow certain procedures for handling and testing tap water. Tap water samples must be collected in proper containers, using proper techniques and storage and, in some instances, use sample preservatives (where required).

DOES CITY STAFF TEST DRINKING WATER?

Vaughan’s drinking water is tested more than 1,650 times per year. In some instances, City employees from the Water/Wastewater and Drainage division may ask to enter your home to take water samples, and they will present official City of Vaughan identification. Water/Wastewater and Drainage staff are trained and certified by the Ministry of the Environment to properly collect water samples and will appropriately transfer samples for testing to the Province’s accredited and licensed laboratory. If there are problems with the water, the York Region Health Department, the Ministry of the Environment and the affected customers will be contacted immediately.

Our water quality test results continually confirm that Vaughan’s distribution system is of excellent quality and safe to drink. The results are published on the City of Vaughan’s website at www.vaughan.ca and are also available for viewing by contacting the Public Works Department at 905-832-8562.

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