Health Canada

This Guideline Technical Document reviews and assesses all identified health risks associated with turbidity in drinking water. It assesses new studies and approaches, and takes into consideration the availability of appropriate treatment technology. From this review, several guidelines for...

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for vinyl chloride in drinking water is 0.002 mg/L (2 μg/L). Every effort should be made to maintain vinyl chloride levels in drinking water as low as reasonably achievable (or ALARA).

The aesthetic objective for zinc is ≤5.0 mg/L. Zinc is an essential element and is generally considered to be non-toxic. Intake of zinc from food is more than sufficient to satisfy the recommended daily requirements.

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in drinking water is 0.000 04 mg/L (0.04 µg/L).

There is no evidence of adverse health effects specifically attributable to magnesium in drinking water. A guideline for magnesium has therefore not been specified.

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for malathion in drinking water is 0.19 mg/L (190 µg/L).

The main role of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water is the development of the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. This role has evolved over the years, and new methodologies and approaches have led the Committee to develop a new type of document, Guidance...

A drinking water screening value of 0.015 mg/L (15 ug/L) is established for diazinon.

A drinking water screening value of 0.1 mg/L (100 µg/L) is established for RDX.

A drinking water screening value of 0.24 mg/L (240 µg/L) is established for iodide.

A drinking water screening value of 0.004 mg/L (4 µg/L) is established for perchlorate.

A drinking water screening value of 20 ng/L (0.000020 mg/L) is established for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

A drinking water screening value of 0.3 mg/L (300 µg/L) is established for Sulfolane

This guideline technical document reviews and assesses all identified health risks associated with tetrachloroethylene in drinking water, incorporating all relevant routes of exposure from drinking water—namely, ingestion as well as inhalation and skin absorption from showering and bathing. This...

As taste cannot be measured objectively, and because there is considerable variation among consumers as to which tastes are acceptable, a maximum acceptable limit for drinking water has not been specified.

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for terbufos in drinking water is 0.001 mg/L (1 µg/L).

The aesthetic objective for sulphate in drinking water is ≤500 mg/L, based on taste considerations. Because of the possibility of adverse physiological effects at higher concentrations, it is also recommended that health authorities be notified of sources of drinking water that contain sulphate...

The presence of sulphide (as hydrogen sulphide) in drinking water results in disagreeable taste and odour; an aesthetic objective of ≤0.05 mg/L (≤50 µg/L) (expressed as hydrogen sulphide) has therefore been established.

The aesthetic objective for sodium in drinking water is ≤200 mg/L. The taste of drinking water is generally considered offensive at sodium concentrations above the aesthetic objective. Sodium is not considered a toxic element; up to 5 g/day of sodium is consumed by normal adults.

The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for simazine in drinking water is 0.01 mg/L (10 µg/L).