VICTORIA - The government has introduced new legislation to improve drinking water protection and enhance public health and safety.

"Safe, clean drinking water is a vital health priority, and we must ensure that drinking water protection is effective and efficient, with no uncertainty or duplication," said Minister of Health Services Colin Hansen. "Today's legislation will implement our comprehensive $16-million action plan to strengthen drinking water protection in B.C."

"We made a New Era commitment to improve groundwater protection," said Minister of Water Land and Air Protection Joyce Murray, who introduced the legislation on behalf of the Minister of Health Services. "Today's amendments enhance the Drinking Water Protection Act, and new regulations being developed will also strengthen groundwater protection. These combined measures will provide the most effective drinking water protection in Canada."

The legislation will:
* Establish decision-making and accountability for drinking water with the Minister of Health Services and B.C.'s provincial health officer. It enables the minister to establish guidelines and directives, and strengthens the provincial health officer's role in monitoring and reporting yearly on drinking water and public health protection.
* Make public health the priority for decisions related to drinking water.
* Establish new drinking water officers across B.C., with authority to investigate complaints, require testing and assessment, perform inspections, co-ordinate source protection, issue orders and take other steps to ensure water safety.
* Provide for a source-to-tap assessment of all drinking water systems in B.C., starting with those that may pose the highest risk to users.

As the government promised in open cabinet in June, the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services is currently consulting with local governments on funding arrangements to finance the action plan. While users who receive the benefit of improved water services may need to share in the associated costs, the government has made clear it is committed to developing and implementing these arrangements in a way that is fair, flexible and equitable.

The new legislation will be proclaimed later this winter, after consultations with the Union of B.C. Municipalities and other stakeholders are complete and new regulations are developed.

Contact:

Public Affairs Bureau
Health Services
250 952-1887