Semi-Public Water Supplies

Semi-Public Water Supplies in Newfoundland and Labrador

A semi-public water supply (SPWS) is a water supply that is not public (i.e. a municipal/community operated water supply) or private (i.e. serving one residence). In 2023, it was estimated that there were approximately 1000 semi-public drinking water supplies in the province, and it is estimated that only 15% of those systems have some form of disinfection. As part of the Drinking Water Safety Action Plan, the Water Resources Management Division (WRMD) has expanded its mandate to include semi-public water supplies.

Currently WRMD is developing an inventory of all SPWS in Newfoundland and Labrador and is beginning community engagement and sampling of chemical parameters from SPWS across the province in an effort to establish baseline conditions of all SPWS.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, SPWS are divided into two categories: institutional-commercial and residential.

Institutional-Commercial Semi-Public Water Supplies

An institutional-commercial semi-public water supply is a water supply that is not a public or private water system and is providing drinking water to the general public as either:

  • a paying customer using the services provided in a commercial establishment, whether or not the establishment is owned, leased or rented (commercial), or
  • a person under the care or supervision within a public institution, or consuming water from a facility owned, leased, or rented by a government, church, community-based organization, charitable, or not-for-profit organization (institutional).

Examples may include:

  • Apartment buildings
  • Bar- Nightclub – Lounge – Brewery
  • Bed and Breakfast -Inn – Short Term Rental Property (i.e. Airbnb)
  • Child (Day) Care – Centre Based
  • Child (Day) Care – Home Based
  • Church – Church Camp – Retreat
  • College
  • Community Clinic
  • Community Centre – Reception Hall – Recreation Facility
  • Condos
  • Correctional Facility
  • Emergency Shelters
  • Farm
  • Gas – Service Station
  • Golf Course
  • Grocery – Supermarket – Convenience – Retail Store
  • Group Home
  • Hospital
  • Hotel – Motel – Cabins (Tourist)
  • Lodge – Fishing -Hunting -Outfitter
  • Long Term Care Facility (Public)
  • Mobile Home Park
  • Other – Public Access
  • Office Buildings with Public Access
  • Park – Federal (Camping, RV, Day Use)
  • Park – Private (Camping, RV, Day Use)
  • Park – Provincial (Camping, RV, Day Use)
  • Personal Care Home (Private)
  • Public Building (Federal)
  • Public Building (Municipal) – Town Hall
  • Public Building (Provincial)
  • Restaurant – Takeout – Food Truck
  • School – Grade
  • School – Post Secondary Institution
  • School – Private or Training Centers
  • Swimming Pool – Water or Fun Park
  • Worksite Accommodations

Responsibilities of Institutional-Commercial SPWS Owners

If you own a property or a facility that is included in the list above and the drinking water is not supplied by a public water supply, you are the owner of a SPWS. Commercial and institutional SPWS owners that provide water for hygienic and/or drinking water purposes to the public are expected to ensure that the water supply is safe for human consumption. The owner of a semi-public water supply is responsible for the maintenance, treatment and testing of the water supply. SPWS Owners have the following responsibilities:

Water Sampling:

  • Collect a water sample and submit to the Public Health Laboratory for microbiological testing of tap water twice a year from at least one drinking water tap within the system. Priority should be given to taps that are used for drinking, teeth brushing, cooking, washing fruit and vegetables etc.
  • Collect a water sample and submit to an accredited laboratory for chemical testing of tap water from at least one drinking water tap within the system. Suspected worst case taps should be tested (i.e. locations with known lead piping, previous chemical exceedances, taps with the highest consumption etc.) If after the first year there are no chemical exceedances to Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) values, sampling can be completed bi-annually going forward. If there are chemical exceedances to the GCDWQ MAC, a sample should be collected annually, and a suitable treatment plan should be implemented.
  • SPWS owners should keep a record of all sampling results and provide consumers of the water with a copy, if requested.
  • If laboratory reports from water testing indicate exceedances of GCDWQ values, owners should seek professional advice towards appropriate treatment.

Treatment:

  • If a microbiological or chemical exceedance to the GCDWQ MAC Values is identified, the SPWS should notify the Semi-Public Water Supply Environmental Scientist at SPWS@gov.nl.ca of the exceedance, and to determine the treatment plan for the facility. The treatment plan should be implemented within 6 months of the exceedance being identified.
  • If a water treatment system is in place, either Point of Entry (POE) or Point of Use (POU), the owner should maintain the system in good working order to the manufacturer’s instructions. All filters and water treatment systems should be NSF certified and installed by a qualified professional.
  • Water treatment systems may include but are not limited to chlorination, UV, RO, filtration, water softener, etc.
  • Sampling is still required with a treatment system installed to ensure the treatment is effective, and that no additional water quality issues arise.

Notification:

  • SPWS Owners should inform water users if the microbiological or chemical test results indicate an exceedance to the GCDWQ, or if the microbiological testing or chemical testing were not completed at the required frequency. They may also provide an alternate source of clean, tested drinking water.
  • In the event of a microbiological exceedance, SPWS Owners should notify water users of a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) to bring water to a vigorous boil for one minute and allow to cool prior to consumption. This includes posting signage at all taps that could be used for human consumption.
  • In the event of a chemical exceedance (i.e. arsenic, lead, or other chemical parameter) the SPWS owner should post a Non-Consumption Advisory (NCA) at all taps that could be used for human consumption.
  • Boiling water that has chemical contaminants like metals will not remove them, and therefore a NCA is different than a BWA.

Inspections:

  • If the water supply is a well, complete an inspection of the wellhead annually.
  • If the water supply is a surface water body, inspect the intake and piping annually.
  • Keep inspection records on file for 5 years.
  • For assistance in assessing the condition of your wellhead or surface water intake, email spws@gov.nl.ca

Residential Semi-Public Water Supply

A residential semi-public water supply is defined as a water supply that is not a public or private water system, that provides drinking water to less than 14, but more than 1 residence or is a water supply that provides drinking water to more than 14 residences and is not currently designated as a Public Water Supply. A residential semi-public water supply does not supply water to the general public.

Example of a Residential SPWS:

2-13 residences sharing the same well.

Responsibilities of Residential Semi-Public Water Supply Owners and Users

  • Yearly wellhead inspection report should be kept on file for at least 5 years. If you would like assistance assessing the condition of your wellhead, email spws@gov.nl.ca.
  • Each well user should complete annual microbiological testing of tap water from the system. Priority should be given to taps that are used for drinking, teeth brushing, cooking, washing fruit and vegetables etc.
  • Chemical testing of tap water from each household within the system every two years. Suspected worst case taps should be tested (i.e. locations with known lead piping, previous chemical exceedances, taps with the highest consumption etc.)
  • Well users should keep a record of all sampling results and provide other well users with a copy if requested.
  • The users of a residential semi-public well are responsible for the maintenance, treatment and water testing of that well. If laboratory reports from any form of water testing indicate exceedances in health parameters, well owners are advised to seek professional advice towards appropriate filtration or treatment and notify all other water supply users.
  • If a water treatment system is in place (at the source or pumphouse), the owner should maintain the system in good working order to the manufacturer’s instructions. All filters and water treatment systems should be NSF certified and installed by a qualified professional. Water treatment systems may include but are not limited to chlorination, UV, RO, filtration, water softener, etc.
  • Water users should inform other users if their microbiological or chemical test results indicate an exceedance to the GCDWQG.
  • In the event of a microbiological exceedance, water users should bring water to a vigorous boil for one minute and allow to cool prior to consumption and should notify other users so they can also sample their water.

In instances where a commercial or institutional facility uses water from a residential semi-public well, the more stringent sampling requirements should be met by the facility. For example, if a school shares a well with several private residences, then the school should follow all requirements described in Section 2 for institutional-commercial semi-public water supplies. Additionally, it would be advised that the school and the private residents sharing the well sign a Shared Well Agreement.

Guidelines for Semi-Public Water Supply Owners in NL

To date, there have been no policy directives, standards, objectives or guidelines related to semi-public water supplies in Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2023 the Drinking Water Safety Action Plan was released and included semi-public drinking water system initiatives, such as guidance framework, education, developing an inventory, and website development. WRMD is currently developing a guideline for SPWS owners with Health and Community Services and Digital Government Service NL. The purpose of the guideline is to improve drinking water quality for semi-public water supply users, define the responsibilities of semi-public water supply owners and users, and to create awareness about the importance of sampling your drinking water for microbiological and chemical parameters.

These guidelines will support the implementation of the SPWS portion of the 2023 Drinking Water Safety Action Plan. The guidelines are iterative and will adapt with changes to best practices, and stakeholder input.

Baseline Sampling Program for Semi-Public Water Supplies in NL

As part of the development of the Semi-Public Water Supply Program WRMD is implementing a baseline sampling program in which chemical sampling will be completed by WRMD at all known semi-public water supplies. Wellhead or surface water intake inspections will also be completed during sampling, if possible. The WRMD Environmental Scientist will answer any questions regarding sample results, provide resources, treatment options etc. The goal of the sampling program is to facilitate the first round of sampling for all semi-public water supply owners and users, and to educate about the guidelines. It will also provide an opportunity to ground truth all semi-public water supply locations and engage with stakeholders regarding common issues, reality of sampling expectations, water use, and condition of wellheads/intakes throughout the province. It is estimated that it will take two to three calendar years to complete the baseline sampling program throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Chemical Parameters for Water Quality Testing:

Hardness (CaCO3) Total Copper (Cu)
Total Alkalinity (Total as CaCO3) Total Mercury (Hg)
Nitrogen (Ammonia Nitrogen) Total Iron (Fe)
Nitrite (N) Total Lead (Pb)
Dissolved Bromide (Br-) Total Magnesium (Mg)
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) Total Manganese (Mn)
Colour Total Antimony (Sb)
Dissolved Fluoride (F-) Total Nickel (Ni)
Total Organic Carbon (C) Total Phosphorus (P)
Dissolved Organic Carbon (C) Total Potassium (K)
pH Total Selenium (Se)
Conductivity Total Sodium (Na)
Total Phosphorus Total Strontium (Sr)
Dissolved Chloride (Cl-) Total Arsenic (As)
Total dissolved solids (calc., EC) Total Uranium (U)
Dissolved Sulphate (SO4) Total Zinc (Zn)
Nitrate + Nitrite (N) Total Barium (Ba)
Nitrate (N) Total Boron (B)
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) Total Cadmium (Cd)
Total Aluminum (Al) Total Calcium (Ca)
Total Chromium (Cr) Turbidity

Microbiological Parameters for Water Quality Testing: E. Coli and total coliforms – visit https://publichealthlab.ca/water-testing/ for more information.

 

Are you a semi-public water supply owner? We want to hear from you!

Register your SPWS here: SPWS Registration Form 

Have questions about your Semi-Public Water Supply? Contact SPWS@gov.nl.ca