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Document ID ca-nt-grdw-2010-05 Title GNWT Report on Drinking Water URL https://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/sites/maca/files/resources/maca_gnwt-report-on-drinking-water_2009.pdf Jurisdiction /ca/nt Subdomain(s) Regulations & standards, Technical guidelines & design standards, Permitting, zoning & urban planning Language en Status completed Analyzed at 2026-03-26 01:31:14.941476+00:00 Relevance The document outlines regulatory requirements for water supply systems in the NWT.

Q Qualitative Requirements (26)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Context Conditions Confidence
#Q001operationaloperationalmandatoryCommunity Government WTP Operationsdrinking waterCommunity governments are responsible for operating and maintaining WTPs.high
#Q002administrativeoperationalmandatoryGNWT Regulatory Responsibilitydrinking waterThe Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is responsible for the regulation of water supply systems, providing certification and training and support to WTP Operators.high
#Q003administrativeunknownmandatoryWater License Requirementdrinking waterCommunities are required to have a water licence under the NWT Waters Act.The Hay River Reserve is exempt because they use the water and waste facilities in Hay River and Kakisa is exempt because they are too small to need a water licence.high
#Q004reportingreportingmandatoryWater License Compliance Activitiesdrinking water, wastewater, otherSome requirements include annually reporting water use and sewage disposal volumes, sampling sewage effluent and landfill leachate, reporting sampling results and spills and developing operations and maintenance manuals.Applicable to communities holding a water licence.high
#Q005administrativehealthmandatoryCPHO Source and Design Approvalsdrinking waterApprovals from the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) for the use of a water source, operations, and design is required.high
#Q006operationaloperationalmandatoryMandatory Operator Certificationdrinking waterOperator Certification is now mandatory. The CPHO has the authority to issue special approvals for a community to operate their water treatment plant without a certified operator if certain criteria are met.high
#Q007administrativeunknownmandatoryGCDWQ Adoptiondrinking waterThe regulations adopt the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ), making them part of the regulations in the NWT.high
#Q008monitoringhealthmandatoryHSS Raw Water Testingdrinking waterHSS requires daily testing for turbidity and as required other site specifc parameters, monthly bacteriological testing, and annual chemical testing of the raw water.high
#Q009monitoringoperationalmandatoryRaw Water Testing Responsibilitydrinking waterCommunity governments are responsible for daily raw water testing and monthly bacteriological testing.high
#Q010monitoringhealthguidanceRaw Water Bacteria Exemptiondrinking waterCommunities that receive their water from other communities are not required to take raw water bacteria samples.Applicable when receiving water from another community.high
#Q011monitoringhealthguidanceRaw Water Chemical Exemptiondrinking waterCommunities that only add chlorine to the water and do not have any other treatment, do not need to take raw water chemical samples because there is no treatment process in place to alter the water quality.Applicable when chlorination is the only treatment added.high
#Q012treatmenthealthmandatoryTurbidity Filtration or Dual Disinfection Requirementdrinking waterThe turbidity guidelines require that all drinking water supply systems that use a surface water source or a ground water source under the influence of surface water, be filtered or have dual disinfection depending on the raw water quality.Applies to systems using surface water or groundwater under the influence of surface water.high
#Q013operationaloperationalmandatoryOperator Certification Leveldrinking waterWater treatment plant operators require certification to the same level as their plant. Acheiving certification involves both a written exam; on which an operator must receive a 70% in order to pass, and work experience.high
#Q014corrective_actionhealthmandatoryBoil Water Advisory Lifting Requirementdrinking waterA boil water advisory will be lifted once the EHO is satisfied that there is no longer a risk to public safety. This will always involve providing bacteriological water quality results that are considered safe.Applies when lifting a boil water advisory.high
#Q015monitoringhealthmandatoryHSS Treated Water Testing Scheduledrinking waterHSS testing requirements for treated water include turbidity and chlorine testing at least three times per day, bacteria testing at least once per week, trihalomethane (THM) testing four times per year, and annual chemical testing.high
#Q016monitoringhealthmandatoryDettah and Hay River Reserve Treated Water Testingdrinking waterDettah and Hay River Reserve get water from other communities but add chlorine to it. They do not need to take treated water chemical samples but do need to take treated water bacteria and THM samples.Specific to Dettah and Hay River Reserve.high
#Q017operationalhealthrecommendedDisinfection By-Products Minimizationdrinking waterAs a precaution, disinfection by-products should be kept as low as reasonably achievable without compromising the effectiveness of disinfection. This is achieved by removing THM precursors prior to disinfection and by optimizing treatment processes.high
#Q018monitoringhealthmandatoryPiped Water Distribution Samplingdrinking waterPiped Water Distribution - At least one sample taken immediately after treatment with the remaining samples taken from different locations in the distribution system.Applicable to Piped Water Distribution systems.high
#Q019monitoringhealthmandatoryTrucked Water Distribution Samplingdrinking waterTrucked Water Distribution - At least one sample must be taken from each water truck in use that month, with the remaining samples taken from different public buildings.Applicable to Trucked Water Distribution systems.high
#Q020monitoringoperationalmandatoryOn-line Continuous Monitoring Requirementdrinking waterWhere practical, on-line continuous monitoring downstream of the treatment process is required. Where on-line monitoring is not practical, grab samples may be taken; one sample per delivery day plus one additional sample every four hours of plant operation.high
#Q021operationaltreatmentmandatoryChlorine Residual Maintenance (Storage Plants)drinking waterPlants with treated water storage should test using on-line continuous monitoring and must maintain a free chlorine residual of at least 0.2 mg/L after 20 minutes.Applicable to plants with treated water storage.high
#Q022operationaltreatmentmandatoryChlorine Residual Maintenance (Truck-Fill Plants)drinking waterPlants without water storage (Truck-Fill) must test a minimum of three times per delivery day and must have a free chlorine residual of at least 0.4 mg/L after 20 minutes.Applicable to plants without water storage (Truck-Fill).high
#Q023operationalhealthrecommendedPublic Boil Water Advisory Instructiondrinking waterall water used for drinking should be boiled for 1 minute. This includes all water used for making infant formula, juices, washing and rinsing vegetables, brushing your teeth and washing your hands.Applicable during a Boil Water Advisoryhigh
#Q024monitoringhealthmandatoryPopulation-Based Bacteriological Sampling Frequencydrinking waterMinimum four samples per month and one additional sample per month for every 1,000 in population over 4,000.Applicable to treated water bacteriological samplinghigh
#Q025administrativeoperationalmandatoryRestricted Operator Certificate Limitationdrinking waterA restricted certificate will be non transferrable, limiting the operators certification to their own facility.Applicable when a restricted certification is issuedhigh
#Q026administrativereportingmandatoryMandatory Regulatory Inspection Scheduledrinking waterEHOs do public health inspections once every six (6) months, and INAC Officers do annual water licence inspections.high

P Quantitative Requirements (25)

Req ID Category Intent Legal Status Name Subdomain(s) Limit Type Limit Value Context Conditions Confidence
#P001chemicaltreatmentmandatoryfree chlorine residualdrinking waterrequirement>= 0.2 mg/LPlants with treated water storage should test using on-line continuous monitoring and must maintain a free chlorine residual of at least 0.2 mg/L after 20 minutes.Plants with treated water storage; after 20 minuteshigh
#P002chemicaltreatmentmandatoryfree chlorine residualdrinking waterrequirement>= 0.4 mg/LPlants without water storage (Truck-Fill) must test a minimum of three times per delivery day and must have a free chlorine residual of at least 0.4 mg/L after 20 minutes.Plants without water storage (Truck-Fill); after 20 minuteshigh
#P003operationalhealthrecommendedboil water durationdrinking waterrequirement>= 1 minuteAn advisory to the public that all water used for drinking should be boiled for 1 minute. This includes all water used for making infant formula, juices, washing and rinsing vegetables, brushing your teeth and washing your hands.When a boil water advisory is in effecthigh
#P004operationaloperationalmandatoryoperator certification written exam passing scoredrinking waterrequirement>= 70 %Acheiving certification involves both a written exam; on which an operator must receive a 70% in order to pass, and work experience.For operator certificationhigh
#P005microbiologicalreportingmandatoryTreated Water Bacteria Sampling Frequencydrinking waterrequirement52 samples/yearTREATED WATER BACTERIA TESTS (52 required)Standard requirement for community water systemshigh
#P006chemicalreportingmandatoryTreated Water Chemical Sampling Frequencydrinking waterrequirement1 sample/yearTREATED WATER CHEMICAL TESTS (1 required)Standard requirement for community water systemshigh
#P007operationalhealthmandatoryPublic Health Inspection Frequencydrinking waterrequirement1 every 6 monthsEHOs do public health inspections once every six (6) monthsRoutine regulatory inspectionshigh
#P008operationalreportingmandatoryWater Licence Inspection Frequencydrinking water, wastewaterrequirement1 yearINAC Officers do annual water licence inspections.Routine regulatory inspections by INAChigh
#P009operationaltreatmentmandatoryHSS Turbidity and Chlorine Testing Frequencydrinking waterrequirement>= 3 times/dayHSS testing requirements for treated water include turbidity and chlorine testing at least three times per dayTreated water monitoringhigh
#P010microbiologicalhealthmandatoryHSS Bacteria Testing Frequencydrinking waterrequirement>= 1 time/weekbacteria testing at least once per weekTreated water monitoringhigh
#P011chemicalhealthmandatoryHSS THM Testing Frequencydrinking waterrequirement4 times/yeartrihalomethane (THM) testing four times per yearTreated water monitoringhigh
#P012microbiologicalhealthmandatoryBase Bacteria Sampling Frequencydrinking waterrequirement>= 4 samples/monthMinimum four samples per month and one additional sample per month for every 1,000 in population over 4,000.Bacteriological sampling for treated waterhigh
#P013physicaloperationalmandatoryRaw Water Turbidity Testing Frequencydrinking waterrequirement1 test/dayHSS requires daily testing for turbidity and as required other site specifc parametersRaw water monitoringhigh
#P014microbiologicalhealthmandatoryRaw Water Bacteriological Testing Frequencydrinking waterrequirement1 test/monthHSS requires ... monthly bacteriological testingRaw water monitoringhigh
#P015chemicalhealthmandatoryRaw Water Chemical Testing Frequencydrinking waterrequirement1 test/yearHSS requires ... annual chemical testing of the raw water.Raw water monitoringhigh
#P016operationaloperationalguidanceCircuit Rider Visit Frequency Goaldrinking watertreatment_goal3 visits/yearA goal of three (3) scheduled visits to each community has been set.Circuit Rider program assistancehigh
#P017microbiologicalhealthmandatoryPopulation-Adjusted Bacteriological Sampling Incrementdrinking waterrequirement1 sample/month/1000 populationone additional sample per month for every 1,000 in population over 4,000.When population exceeds 4,000high
#P018physicaltreatmentmandatoryTurbidity Grab Sampling Operating Intervaldrinking waterrequirement4 hoursWhere on-line monitoring is not practical, grab samples may be taken; one sample per delivery day plus one additional sample every four hours of plant operation.When on-line turbidity monitoring is not practicalhigh
#P019chemicaltreatmentmandatoryMinimum Chlorine Contact Timedrinking waterrequirement20 minutesmust maintain a free chlorine residual of at least 0.2 mg/L after 20 minutes.Disinfection requirements for plants with and without storagehigh
#P020operationaloperationalguidanceSystem Infrastructure Review Frequencydrinking waterrequirement1 every 3 yearsThe reviews identify changes that are needed and suggest ways to upgrade or better maintain the community's water supply system. Reviews are completed about once every three (3) years.Typically not performed if a water treatment plant is receiving an upgrade or if a water treatment plant has been recently commissioned.high
#P021chemicalreportingmandatoryAnnual Chemical Testing Parameter Countdrinking waterrequirement28 parametersOne sample per year is required for each of the 28 parameters listed below.Treated water annual chemical testinghigh
#P022operationaltreatmentmandatoryTruck-Fill Chlorine Testing Frequencydrinking waterrequirement>= 3 times per delivery dayPlants without water storage (Truck-Fill) must test a minimum of three times per delivery dayPlants without water storage (Truck-Fill)high
#P023microbiologicalreportingmandatoryMinimum Bacteriological Samples from Water Trucksdrinking waterrequirement>= 1 sample per water truck in use that monthAt least one sample must be taken from each water truck in use that month, with the remaining samples taken from different public buildings.Trucked Water Distributionhigh
#P024microbiologicalreportingmandatoryMinimum Bacteriological Samples Post-Treatment (Piped)drinking waterrequirement>= 1 sampleAt least one sample taken immediately after treatment with the remaining samples taken from different locations in the distribution system.Piped Water Distributionhigh
#P025physicaltreatmentmandatoryBase Turbidity Grab Sampling Frequencydrinking waterrequirement>= 1 sample per delivery dayWhere on-line monitoring is not practical, grab samples may be taken; one sample per delivery day plus one additional sample every four hours of plant operation.Where on-line monitoring is not practicalhigh

D Definitions (27)

Req ID Category Name Context Confidence
#D001WTPswater treatment plantshigh
#D002GNWTGovernment of the Northwest Territorieshigh
#D003GCDWQGuidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Qualityhigh
#D004HSSHealth and Social Serviceshigh
#D005MACAMunicipal and Community Affairshigh
#D006PWSPublic Works and Serviceshigh
#D007ENREnvironment and Natural Resourceshigh
#D008EHOEnvironmental Health Officerhigh
#D009watershedan area that drains all precipitation (rain or melted snow that runs off the land) or flows into the ground and then into a particular connected set of rivers and lakes.high
#D010Raw waterRaw water is usually from wells or surface sources, which has had no previous treatment and is entering a water processing system or device.high
#D011INACIndian and Northern Affairs Canadahigh
#D012CPHOChief Public Health Officerhigh
#D013TurbidityTurbidity describes the cloudiness that results from small particles in the water.high
#D014CPICommunity Public Infrastructurehigh
#D015UVUltraviolethigh
#D016Waterborne IllnessA disease, caused by a bacterium or organism able to live in water, which can be transmitted by water.high
#D017Pathogenic OrganismsOrganisms, including bacteria, viruses, or cysts, capable of causing diseases (typhoid, cholera, dysentery) in a host (such as a person).high
#D018nonpathogenicorganisms which do NOT cause diseasemedium
#D019Boil Water AdvisoryAn advisory to the public that all water used for drinking should be boiled for 1 minute. This includes all water used for making infant formula, juices, washing and rinsing vegetables, brushing your teeth and washing your hands.high
#D020THMtrihalomethanehigh
#D021TrihalomethanesTHMs are a group of disinfection by-products that can form when the chlorine used to disinfect drinking water reacts with organic matter (e.g., decaying leaves and vegetation) in the water.high
#D022NWTNorthwest Territorieshigh
#D023design buildyou contract one company to complete both these tasks [developing a building design and then contracting a company to construct the building to the design specifications].high
#D024Bundling Projectscontracting several projects at once can achieve efficiencies in project implementation and project costs.high
#D025Restricted certificationmay be issued on a case by case basis by the Certification Committee to an operator who was able to meet some, but not all of the certification components. A restricted certificate will be non transferrable, limiting the operators certification to their own facility.high
#D026Circuit RiderTypically assesses the water treatment operations, identifies training needs, and works with local operators to create an improvement plan.high
#D027raw water reservoirsused in the NWT either to store water when the quality is best or when there is no year round access to a water source.high