Health Canada

Source water characterization should be part of routine system assessments. Boron is not widely distributed in source water in Canada and tends to be present at elevated concentrations only in groundwater in certain areas. Therefore, utilities should consult the responsible authority to determine...

The World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. EPA, Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council and the European Commission have developed guidelines or advisory values for boron in drinking water (Table 6). WHO (2011), Australia (NHMRC and NRMCC, 2011) and the European Commission (2020)...

covers the literature up to 2012. The present assessment considers the previous data, as well as material published after this period from 2012 to 2018. Health Canada has also previously reviewed the toxicity of boric acid, its salts and its precursors under the Canadian Environmental Protection...

The average total daily boron intake from environmental media, food and drinking water for the general Canadian population ranges from 3 to 92 μg/kg body weight (bw) per day, depending on the age group, with an estimated 3% to 16% of total dietary intake attributable to drinking water (ECCC and...

This guideline technical document was prepared in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water and assesses all available information on boron. A maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of 5 mg/L (5 000 μg/L) is established for total boron in drinking water...

This guideline technical document evaluated the available information on physical, chemical and aesthetic characteristics of recreational waters with the intent of recommending guidelines for various parameters. The purpose of this consultation is to solicit comments on the proposed guidelines,...

Canadian ecosystems support significant biodiversity, with approximately 80,000 plant and animal species known to exist in Canada and potentially more yet to be discovered. Some species are more sensitive to particular substances while others may be less affected due to differences in their...

Recreational water areas are any natural fresh, marine or estuarine (somewhat salty) bodies of water used for recreational purposes, such as: lakes, rivers, oceans human-made systems, for example: artificial lakes, stormwater ponds. They do not include swimming pools, splash parks or other...

Before your visit, Check for up-to-date water quality monitoring results and swimming advisories on local health department or municipal websites. Pack protective gear such as: hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, personal flotation devices (if needed). Talk to your health care provider about the risks...

Understanding hazardsIt's important to understand the potential hazards in recreational water areas. Authorities can help protect people from these hazards with: water quality management plans tools such as surveys and source tracking

Pathogenic microorganisms are extremely small organisms that may cause disease, and include:bacteria, viruses, parasites. Many different kinds can be present in the water and sand at recreational water areas. Most come from human and animal waste that enters waterways from: swimmers, runoff from...

Cyanobacteria are also known as blue-green algae. They're a type of bacteria that occur naturally in fresh and marine bodies of water. There are many types of cyanobacteria, and some can produce harmful toxins called cyanotoxins. Cyanobacteria can grow quickly in freshwater lakes and rivers under...

The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality consist of multiple guideline technical documents that consider the various factors that could interfere with the safety of recreational waters from a human health perspective. This includes technical documents on understanding and managing...

The Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality comprise multiple guideline technical documents that consider the various factors that could interfere with the safety of recreational waters from a human health perspective. This includes technical documents on understanding and managing...

Water quality affects everyone. Find out more about water pollution and your health. What the flood? Recreational water safety.

Responsibility for the quality of drinking water is shared by all levels of government. The federal government plays a key role in the area of drinking water by, among other things, leading the development of guidelines for drinking water and providing scientific and technical expertise to the...

Guideline Technical Document for Public Consultation Consultation period ends November 28, 2023. Purpose of consultation: This guideline technical document evaluated the available information on iron with the intent of updating the guideline value for iron in drinking water.

This guideline technical document outlines the evaluation of the available information on calcium, magnesium, hardness, chloride, sulphate, total dissolved solids (TDS) and hydrogen sulphide with the intent of updating the guideline value for these operational parameters in drinking water. The...

Purpose of consultation This guideline technical document evaluated the available information on managing risks in recreational areas with the intent of updating/recommending a preventive risk management approach to managing recreational areas. The purpose of this consultation is to solicit...

This guideline technical document evaluated the available information on microbiological pathogens and biological hazards in recreational waters with the intent to provide regulatory authorities and decision-makers with guidance on these topics. The purpose of this consultation is to solicit...