Hi all…two new guideline technical documents for Canadian Drinking Water Quality are now available on Health Canada’s website. The actual guidelines (Section 1.0) don’t appear to have changed since the request for public comment in 2017. Treatment credits for the protozoa haven’t changed. As for the enteric viruses, there are several tables providing treatment credits which I’ve not checked. Don’t forget that comments for the three proposed guideline technical documents on cadmium, total coliforms, and natural organic matter (NOM) are due on May 21. I still haven’t heard when the manganese maximum acceptable concentration (MAC), as proposed in 2016, will be released.

Bill

Enteric Viruses in drinking water

www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/guidelines-canadian-drinking-water-quality-guideline-technical-document-enteric-viruses.html
1.0 Guideline

“The guideline for enteric viruses in drinking water is a health-based treatment goal of a minimum 4 log removal and/or inactivation of enteric viruses. Depending on the source water quality, a greater log reduction may be required. Methods currently available for the detection of enteric viruses are not feasible for routine monitoring. Treatment technologies and source water protection measures known to reduce the risk of waterborne illness should be implemented and maintained if source water is subject to faecal contamination or if enteric viruses have been responsible for past waterborne outbreaks.”

Enteric Protozoa: Giardia and Cryptosporidium in drinking water

www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/water-quality/enteric-protozoa-giardia-cryptosporidium.html

1.0 Guideline

“Where treatment is required for enteric protozoa, the guideline for Giardia and Cryptosporidium in drinking water is a health-based treatment goal of a minimum 3 log removal and/or inactivation of cysts and oocysts. Depending on the source water quality, a greater log removal and/or inactivation may be required. Treatment technologies and source water protection measures known to reduce the risk of waterborne illness should be implemented and maintained if source water is subject to faecal contamination or if Giardia or Cryptosporidium have been responsible for past waterborne outbreaks.” Removal credits are shown in Table 6 on page 45.