Drinking Water Safety

Drinking water safety protects drinking water and water-borne disease prevention through drinking water safety teams. In addition, teams work to alert and protect the public from chemical or other water contaminants.

What to expect

Drinking Water Officers throughout the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority approve, inspect and monitor drinking water supplies for compliance with regulatory requirements.

Some of the services we provide include:

  • Issuing operating permits for waterworks systems.
  • Monitoring and auditing water systems for compliance with the Drinking Water Protection Regulation and the Federal Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality.
  • Responding to complaints about poor water quality from users of community water works systems.
  • Issuing boil water advisories to consumers should the water not be potable.

Resources

Additional resources are available on the VCH Drinking Water Program page. 

    • Water Supply System Construction Guidelines

    • Water Supply System Construction Application Form

    • Drinking Water Annual Report Form

Contact us

If you have questions or issues related to environmental health, inspections or facility licensing, you can reach us using the health protection feedback form or through your local health protection office, listed below.

Health protection feedback 

Find this service near you

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  • Environmental health & inspections offices

    Health Protection Office at 601 Broadway

    601 West Broadway, 12th floor, Suite 1200 Vancouver
  • Environmental health & inspections offices

    Health Protection Office at Central Community Health Centre

    132 West Esplanade North Vancouver
  • Environmental health & inspections offices

    Health Protection Office at Gibsons Health Unit

    821 Gibsons Way Gibsons
  • Environmental health & inspections offices

    Health Protection Office at qathet General Hospital

    5000 Joyce Avenue Powell River
  • Environmental health & inspections offices

    Health Protection Office at Richmond Place – 8100 Granville Avenue

    8100 Granville Avenue Richmond
  • Environmental health & inspections offices

    Health Protection Office at Sechelt Health Unit

    PO Box 1040, 5571 Inlet Avenue Sechelt
  • Environmental health & inspections offices

    Health Protection Office at Squamish Community Health Centre

    1140 Hunter Place Squamish
  • Environmental health & inspections offices

    Health Protection Office at Whistler Health Care Centre

    4380 Lorimer Road Whistler