The recommendations resulting from the Walkerton Inquiry led to the creation of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard. Mandated through Ontario's Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, the Standard provides a framework for operating authorities and owners of drinking water systems to develop a Quality Management System (QMS) that is relevant to their organization.
As the owner, the City of Belleville has created operational plans to document its Quality Management System for the Belleville and Point Anne drinking water systems to meet the above legislated requirements.
The QMS policy is an element of our operational plans and has been endorsed by the Mayor, Council and Chief Administrative Officer. The QMS policy reads:
- The City of Belleville is committed to supply safe drinking water to all of its consumers and commits to operating in a manner that consistently meets all applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.
- To achieve these goals the City of Belleville commits to:
- Monitoring and testing of water to meet current regulatory requirements
- Providing training to operators
- Providing financial and human resources
- Instituting policies and procedures
- Maintaining memberships in industry support organizations
- Resource stewardship through effective operation
- Communicating with the consumer
- The City of Belleville will establish and maintain a Drinking Water Quality Management System that will be regularly reviewed and continuously improved by management and employees involved in the supply of drinking water.
- The QMS will be utilized by the City to effectively minimize and manage any potential risks to drinking water quality and safety.
Every year, the Belleville and Point Anne Quality Management Systems undergo an external audit by an independent auditor to ensure conformance with the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard.
The operational plans can be viewed by the public at the City's Operations Centre at 31 Wallbridge Cres.
Annual and Summary Reports
Under the Ontario Drinking Water Systems regulation (O.Reg. 170/03), municipalities who maintain drinking water systems are required to prepare an annual report and a summary report on the operation of the water system and the quality of its water.
- Request a copy of the Annual and Summary Water Quality Report for Belleville and Point Anne from 2019-2023
Hardcopies of these reports are available at the City's Operations Centre at 31 Wallbridge Cres. If you have any further questions, please contact the City of Belleville at 613-968-6481.
Another recommendation from the Walkerton inquiry was the requirement for the development of Financial Plans for drinking water systems. Under the Ontario Financial Plans regulation (O. Reg. 453/07), municipalities must develop and maintain financial plans.
- Request a copy of the Water Financial Plan - November 2020
Source Water Protection
Have you noticed Drinking Water Protection Zone road signs on your travels? These signs identify areas along frequently-used roads where accidental pollution spills could travel quickly to a public drinking water source and contaminate it. They are part of a broader effort by Quinte Conservation and other stakeholders including the City of Belleville to protect the Bay of Quinte – Belleville's primary source of drinking water.