Canadian drinking water

Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, 4th ed.. Minister of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa, 1989. 

A triaryl phosphate ester, tributoxyethyl phosphate, was detected at a mean concentration of 11.3 ng/g in 41 of 115 human adipose tissue samples taken from cadavers from Kingston and Ottawa, Canada (LeBel and Williams 1986). Because triaryl phosphate esters have been found in Canadian drinking water and... 

Concentrations of As in surface water range from 1 mg/L at the NATA to 11 mg/L in the ARS surface runoff area (RA). Overall, As concentration in the wetlands decreases from the NATA towards Snow Lake (Fig. 3). The lake water contains <0.005 mg/L As, which is well below the Canadian Drinking Water Standards of 0.010 mg/L, however up to 0.016 mg/L was measured at the water-sediment interface. 

Williams DT, LeBel GL, Benoit EM (1997) Disinfection by-products in Canadian drinking water. Chemosphere 34 299-316... 

Meranger JC, Subramanian KS, Chalifoux C. 1981. Survey for cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, calcium, and magnesium in Canadian drinking water supplies. J Assoc Off Anal Chem 64 44-53. 

Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality Canadian Government Publishing Centre Hull, Quebec, 1978 H48-10/1978, p 52. 

The development of Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality is described. These guidelines are compared with guidelines published by the World Health Organization in 1984. Information is included on drinking water quality in Canada and drinking water consumption habits of Canadians. 

Levels for most metals and organics are well below the maximum acceptable concentrations (MAC) specified in Guidelines for the Canadian Drinking Water Quality (1978). However, the highest level of lead found in some localities is higher (79.7 /xg/L) than the MAC (50 Mg/L). 

Table I. Concentration of Contaminants in Canadian Drinking Water Supplies...

The 1978 Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality included phenols (for organoleptic reasons), biocides, and THMs. Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) was included because of its use as a constituent ofdaundry detergents, most of which are disposed into surface waters. Studies with rodents have shown that very large doses of NTA can result in an increased incidence of urinary tract tumors. THMs were included because of their production during the process of chlorine disinfection. 

Table III. Comparison of Proposed WHO Limits for Certain Organics and Their Observed Levels in Canadian Drinking Waters...

The dichlorobenzenes are industrial chemical intermediates 1,4-dichlorobenzene is used as a moth repellent and also in toilet blocks, whereas 1,2-dichlorobenzene is used as a solvent in the chemical industry. Dichlorobenzenes accumulate in tissues, especially fat, and are moderately toxic (3). However, levels found in Canadian drinking water supplies were consistently <1 /xg/L. 

In the case of substances related to aesthetic and other considerations, the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines (1978) recommend the MACs and objective concentrations given in Tables VI and VII. 

Health and Welfare Canada Canadian Drinking Water Standards and Objectives (1968) Queens Printer Ottawa, 1969. 

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Health and the Environment (2007) Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality Summary Table, Health Canada, Ottawa. See also www.healthcanada.gc.ca/waterquality. 

Health Canada (1996) Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality. Public Works and Government Services. Canada Cat. No. H48-10/1996-1E... 

Health Canada publishes Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. 

---