Programs & Services

Environmental Health: Safe Water

The Environmental Health Department is responsible for the regulation of public water supplies within the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region. This is done through routine inspections and monitoring of the public water supplies. Municipal (community) water systems are regulated by Saskatchewan Environment.

Recreational Water and Public Swimming Pools

Public swimming pools are regulated under the Public Swimming Pool Regulations and Public Swimming Pool Standards in Saskatchewan.

Public Swimming Pools are licenced and inspected by public health inspectors to ensure their safe operation and to prevent the spread of communicable disease. The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region offers Swimming Pool Operators Courses to staff involved in the operation of public swimming pools.

The Regina Qu'Appelle Health region offers Swimming Pool Operators Courses

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Public Water

The Saskatchewan Government, as part of its long-term safe drinking water strategy has taken steps to strengthen the requirements for public water systems. In December 2002, the province introduced new Health Hazard Regulations, which contain sections that regulate the safety of drinking water from public water supplies, which were not previously regulated. These regulations apply to a public water supply that is independent from a municipal water distribution system or any other Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment regulated system.

These regulations apply to a public water supply that is independent from a municipal water distribution system or any other Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment regulated system.

For the purposes of enforcement of the Health Hazard Regulations, the local authority refers to health regions located within the province. Health Region public health inspectors are responsible for the enforcement of the Health Hazard Regulations.

For a list of current Emergency Boil Water Advisories and Precautionary Boil Water Advisories please visit Saskatchwewan H2O website.

Types of Public Water Supplies Regulated by the Health Hazard Regulations:

A public water supply includes a supply of water that is provided at any of the following places:

  • abattoirs (slaughter houses);
  • approved homes;
  • campgrounds;
  • day-care facilities;
  • distribution systems that are connected to at least 3 but less than 15 service connections (e.g. subdivisions, trailer courts);
  • group homes;
  • hospitals;
  • hotels/motels;
  • multi dwelling units owned by Saskatchewan dwelling;
  • personal care homes;
  • recreational area (e.g. picnic grounds, parks, golf courses, sports grounds);
  • restaurants;
  • schools;
  • special care homes;
  • special events;
  • swimming pools;
  • tourist accommodations;
  • wayside area;
  • wells or other supplies of water not connected to a distribution system (e.g. urban or rural municipal wells).

These requirements do NOT apply to:

  • commercially bottled water;
  • a supply of water that is posted as being not potable water (unsafe to drink);
  • a water supply that is regulated by Saskatchewan Environment.

Private Water

Public health inspectors provide assistance in the interpretation of private well water sample results. Inspectors also make recommendations on corrective actions that will improve water quality.

Water Information Fact Sheets

To view information related to water quality science and best practices published by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health click here.

The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region has information sheets about water safety and quality. To view a listing of all health information sheets related to food and water safety click here. To view individual sheets on water safety click on the links below.

Best Practices
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