VICTORIA - A comprehensive $16-million action plan to strengthen drinking water protection in B.C. was announced today by Health Services Minister Colin Hansen.

"Most British Columbians already enjoy safe, clean drinking water," said Hansen. "This action plan will enhance drinking water protection through increased source protection, monitoring, assessments, and infrastructure investment. The plan identifies the safety of drinking water as a health issue and establishes clear lines of responsibility."

The Drinking Water Action Plan is based on eight key principles for safe drinking water, which focus on preventing contamination, and identifying potential risks and appropriate water-quality improvements. The plan establishes clear accountability for safe drinking water under the leadership of the Minister of Health Services, and provides the provincial health officer with a new mandate and responsibility for drinking water. New positions - drinking water protection officers - will be established in all regional health authorities.

"A multi-barrier approach for the entire system - from source to tap - is an effective means of protecting public health," said Joyce Murray, Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection. "With this action plan, we will develop a system of continuous quality improvement."

Government will establish a groundwater advisory board, as well as a drinking water advisory committee to provide expert technical advice on regulations and standards. Changes will be sensitive to the unique needs of small water systems with fewer than 15 connections. Although small water systems represent the majority of water systems in B.C., they only serve two per cent of the population.

The direct cost of the action plan is $16 million annually, which will be funded on a cost-recovery basis. Longer-term costs of future infrastructure needs will be identified through the source-to-tap assessments, and cost-recovery options will be developed. The government has already begun $109 million in cost-shared, water-related infrastructure projects, with further projects under consideration.

"The safety of drinking water in our province will be enhanced as a result of this action plan," said provincial health officer Perry Kendall. "Increased monitoring and assessment and a long-term focus on future infrastructure needs will mean British Columbians can have more confidence in the water they drink."

Media contact:

Health Communications
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