HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN-08-013 - Drinking Water Quality Management StandardReport To: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
Date of Meeting: January 28, 2008
Submitted By: Pauline Houston, General Manager of Financial Services
Prepared By: Angela Mick, Utilities Water Engineer
Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report: January 18, 2008
Report No.: FIN-08-013
Subject: DRINKING WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARD
The Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS), under the Safe Drinking Water
Act., 2002 and Regulation 188107, requires the City of Kitchener to become licensed to operate
and maintain Kitchener's Water Distribution System. One of the licensing requirements is the
preparation of a Quality Management System (QMS) and Operational Plan.
Section 19 of the Safe Drinking Water Act imposes a statutory standard of care on persons who
oversee the municipal drinking water system, which includes council since they have authority
over decision-making.
One of recommendations from Justice O'Connor's Part Two Report of the Walkerton Inquiry
was that "The Ministry of the Environment should require the owners of municipal water systems
to obtain an owner's licence for the operation of their waterworks". Justice O'Connor also
recommended that the Owners and Operating Authorities of these systems implement a quality
management approach to operations and management. As a result of these recommendations
a Drinking Water Quality Management Standard under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 was
released in October 2006.
In order to obtain a Licence, the following elements must be in place:
• A Drinking Water Works Permit (would replace the Certificate of Approval for treatment
and distribution)
• Permit to Take Water
• A Financial Plan (required by July 1, 2010)
• An Accredited Operational Authority with an audited Operational Plan <-- QMS
Development of an Operational Plan is the first step towards obtaining a municipal drinking-
water licence.
An Operational Plan documents the QMS, essentially outlining what our plan is to meet
regulatory requirements. Under Regulation 188107 the date for Kitchener to complete the
Operational Plan is February 1, 2009.
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In cooperation with City of Waterloo, Woolwich Township and Wilmot Township, we will be
engaging the services of a consultant to assist with the development of our Operational Plan.
The Operational Plan will need to include the following:
• QMS policy
• Commitment and endorsement from Top Management
• QMS representative to administer the QMS
• Gap analysis
• Documents and records control
• Drinking water system — description of components
• Risk assessment and risk assessment outcomes
• Organizational structure, roles, responsibilities and authorities
• Competencies
• Personal coverage
• Communications (internal and external)
• Essential supplies and services
• Review and provision of infrastructure
• Infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and renewal
• Sampling, testing and monitoring
• Measurement and recording equipment calibration and maintenance
• Emergency management
• Continual maintenance of the document
Standard of Care
Section 19 of the Safe Drinking Water Act imposes a statutory standard of care on persons who
oversee the municipal drinking water system: "...every person who, on behalf of the
municipality, oversees the accredited operating authority of the system or exercises decision-
making authority over the system." This standard of care includes council since they have
decision-making authority. Part of the standard of care includes requiring system owners to
undertake financial planning and implement a QMS.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The joint request for proposal for a consultant to prepare the Operational Plan has been
estimated to be $145,000, with Kitchener's portion to be approximately $36,000. The consultant
selection approval report will be coming to Council on February 4, 2008.
The Ministry has not yet determined licensing fees, auditing fees or fees for training. External
audit fees will be annual. There may be fees associated with internal audits (e.g. training);
however the cost is not yet known.
A QMS policy will be developed and communicated internally and to the public.
U n d e r Drinking Wa ter A c
and Operational Plan are
water distribution system.
Angela Mick, P.Eng.
Utilities Water Engineer
2002 and Regulation 188107, a Quality Management System (QMS)
required by February 1, 2009 to continue to operate and maintain the
Pauline Houston, CA
General Manager of Financial Services
& City Treasurer