York Region achieves 100% scores in provincial drinking water regulations

Newmarket – The Regional Municipality of York scored 100% meeting provincial drinking water quality standards and inspections in the Ontario Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Annual Report.

“York Region’s dedicated and professional water operations staff work around the clock monitoring and testing our drinking water systems so residents can be assured our water is safe and clean,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “These top scores are a direct result of our ongoing commitment to safety, compliance and continual improvement.”

In 2022, York Region continued to provide high quality drinking water. Water sample analysis results factors into the overall score and in York Region over 99.99% of the results from 17,390 laboratory analyzed samples and 40.5 million continuous monitoring analyzer readings passed regulated standards. Historically, York Region has scored high in the Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Report, often scoring above the provincial average, with combined inspection and test results between 100% and 99.17% for the past five annual reports.

“Comprehensive sampling and robust investments in our system keeps York Region a leader in drinking water scores in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area,” said City of Richmond Hill Mayor David West, Chair of Environmental Services. “Residents have come to know and expect water from their taps is safe, clean and affordable – and we are pleased to meet this high standard year after year.”

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, York Region reports annually on quality and quantity of drinking water produced. The Region executes a robust and rigorous approach to protect drinking water which includes source water protection, operator training, water treatment, extensive monitoring and testing, as well as emergency preparedness and regular communication with local cities and towns. 

Water is delivered through a two-tiered water system in York Region. The Region operates and maintains 15 drinking water supply systems, which provide water to all nine local cities and towns. In turn, cities and towns are responsible for designing, constructing, operating and maintaining their distribution systems to deliver high quality water to residents and businesses.

York Region water is safe, clean and affordable. Details of York Region water systems and drinking water quality can be viewed through the online reporting tool at york.ca/drinkingwater 

Quick facts

• York Region operates and maintains $2.7 billion in water assets
• In 2022, York Region invested $39 million to maintain and improve drinking water systems, including installing, repairing or replacing equipment used to treat, store and deliver safe drinking water 
• Public Works has budgeted $481 million for water system rehabilitation and replacement over the next 10 years, including groundwater treatment upgrades supporting the continued delivery of high-quality drinking water 
• In 2022, York Region continued to provide high quality drinking water; over 99.99% of the results from 17,390 laboratory analyzed samples and 40.5 million continuous monitoring analyzer readings met regulated standards 
• Spending $1 on bottled water can buy the equivalent of over 600 bottles worth of tap water; bottled water also generates plastic waste that is difficult to recycle and additional costs from packaging and transportation

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact

Melissa Pinto, Corporate Communications
The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 437-997-6821
Email: @email