Small Drinking Water Systems

Short-term rentals will be assessed by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit using the definition of a “Public Facility” under Ontario Regulation 319/08: Small Drinking Water Systems. Those that meet the definition of “a place that operates primarily for the purpose of providing overnight accommodation to the travelling public,” will be subject to a risk assessment by a Public Health Inspector.

Links to Short –Term Rental information by Municipality:

• City of Kawartha Lakes
• Northumberland – TBD
• Haliburton County - TBD

The Regulations sets out specific requirements that owners and operators must comply with, they include:

• Notify the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in writing of your intention to operate a small drinking water system.
• Sampling and testing – microbiological sampling and testing must be taken at the frequency and location indicated in your Directive. All water samples must be submitted to a private laboratory licensed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservations and Parks. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in charges being laid for issues of non-compliance.

Logbook Requirements:

• Must be available upon request
• Copy of the regulation
• Copy of the most recent directive
• Maintenance activities (change of filters, bulbs, chlorine pump maintenance)
• Copies of water sample results
• Ultraviolet Light checks
• Chlorine readings (if applicable)
• Adverse observations

Public Health Inspectors are mandated to conduct site-specific risk assessments on all small drinking water systems in the province. Based on the risk assessment, a risk rating is determined which defines what owners and operators must do to keep the drinking water safe for the public. Public Health Inspectors will then issue a directive for the drinking water system which includes requirements such as Bacterial and chemical testing frequency, sampling instructions, sampling locations, treatment required, record keeping, and operator training required.