Ontario's
drinking water remains among the best protected in the world, according
to the 2014-15 Chief Drinking Water Inspector's Annual Report.
The
Chief Drinking Water Inspector's report includes a summary of
information and performance results for municipal drinking water systems
and notes that, in 2014-2015: 99.8% of more than 533,000 test results
from municipal residential drinking water systems met Ontario's
rigorous, health-based drinking water standards. These municipal
residential drinking water systems serve more than 80% of Ontario's
population; 99.4% of municipal residential drinking water systems
received an inspection rating greater than 80%. Inspection ratings show
how well the systems are operating and meeting Ontario's strict
regulations; 99.6% of drinking water tests from systems serving
designated facilities such as daycares, schools or health care centres
met Ontario's drinking water quality standards.
The province also
released the Minister's Annual Report on Drinking Water which showcases
actions the province and its partners are taking to protect sources of
drinking water, including the Great Lakes. It also highlights how the
province's actions in the fight against climate change will ensure that
Ontarians will continue to have access to clean and safe water now and
in the future.
Protecting the province's clean drinking water while
fighting climate change is part of the government's plan to build
Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents
and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in
Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where
business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
Almost
60 per cent of Ontarians get their drinking water from the Great Lakes
and 95% of Ontario's agricultural lands are found in the Great
Lakes-St-Lawrence River Basin. In 2014-2015, all 662 municipal
residential drinking water systems were inspected by the Ministry of the
Environment and Climate Change in Ontario; As of March 31, 2015,
Ontario had 6,388 certified drinking water operators.