Drinking Water Reports

The Provincial Health Officer is required by the Drinking Water Protection Act (2002) to report on activities under the Act.

Clean, Safe, and Reliable Drinking Water: An Update on Drinking Water Protection in BC, 2017/18 to 2021/22 (PDF, 8.4MB)

This report is an update on drinking water in BC and describes activities conducted under the Drinking Water Protection Act during five fiscal years—2017/18 to 2021/22. The report provides an update on the indicators introduced in the previous PHO drinking water report and aligns with the multi-barrier approach. It highlights the progress made to address the 2019 report recommendations, particularly developments in the governance of drinking water, legislation, policy, and guidelines. The report also presents a summary of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and extreme climate-related events that occurred from 2017 to 2022 on the drinking water program and water suppliers in BC. The report concludes with 20 recommendations to advance drinking water quality and protection across BC.

 

Clean, Safe, and Reliable Drinking Water: An Update on Drinking Water Protection in BC and the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia (2012/13 - 2016/17) (PDF, 10.3MB)
This report is an update on drinking water in BC. It covers fiscal years 2012/13 through 2016/17. It provides an update on progress towards the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia (PDF, 973KB) and introduces new indicators and a reporting structure for drinking water in BC that is consistent with a multi-barrier approach. The pillars of the multi-barrier approach are source water protection, drinking water treatment, and distribution integrity. Together they collectively prevent and reduce the risk of contamination of drinking water. While most British Columbians enjoy clean, safe, reliable drinking water, this report offers 32 recommendations to continue to advance drinking water quality across BC.

 

Provincial Health Officer's Annual Report: Progress on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water (2015) (PDF, 1.4MB)
This report describes progress made on each of the eight key principles in the provincial government's Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water for fiscal years 2009/2010 to 2011/2012.

 

 

Provincial Health Officer's Annual Report: Progress on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water (2011) (PDF, 3.2MB)
The report covers programs during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 fiscal years, and is a mandated function of the PHO under the Drinking Water Protection Act.

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Provincial Health Officer's Annual Report: Progress on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water (2008) (PDF, 10MB)
This report charts progress made on each of the eight key principles in the provincial government's Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water during the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 fiscal years.

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Progress on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia (2007) (PDF, 2.2MB)
This report provides a progress report on the Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia, and considers the status of drinking water protection since the implementation of the Drinking Water Protection Act and covers the fiscal years 2003/4 and 2004/5.

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PHO's Annual Report (2000): Drinking Water Quality in BC: The Public Health Perspective (PDF, 1.2MB)
This report provides information on current drinking water quality issues including the regulation and management of B.C.’s water systems, Canadian and international water quality guidelines and scientific evidence to guide public health decisions on safe drinking water.

The Provincial Health Officer's presentation (PDF, 181KB) summarizes the report.

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