Explore this page
Monitoring drinking water safety Drinking water complaints & investigations Private drinking water safety Resources

Drinking Water

Learn how to stay up-to-date on the safety of drinking water in the Interior Region, and what process to follow if you have concerns about your drinking water.

View Drinking Water Samples
location

Monitoring drinking water safety

You can stay up-to-date on the safety of your drinking water by:

Drinking water complaints & investigations

If you have concerns about your drinking water, read the steps listed below.

Step 1: Contact your water supplier

If you’re connected to a community water system, contact your water supplier to register your concern or complaint. In many cases, it will be possible to resolve the issue at this point. If your discussion with the water supplier has not produced a satisfactory result, please move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Report a problem

If you believe that there’s a threat to a drinking water supply, you may request an investigation into the matter. All investigation requests should be in writing using the EPH Direct feedback portal and include specifics of the alleged threat. An environmental health officer will review the request and consider whether it warrants an investigation.

The person who submits an investigation request to an environmental health officer will be informed in writing:

  • Whether an investigation has or will be undertaken
  • The results of any investigation undertaken

Private drinking water safety

Private drinking water is a well or surface water intake that serves only one single-family home. There is minimal regulatory oversight on private drinking water. The homeowner is responsible for ensuring the water is safe for drinking, cooking and household sanitation. Private water system owners have a responsibility to maintain information and apply reasonable steps to monitor their source water and stay informed. This becomes a legal requirement for the landlord where renting. Those that use private water sources should be aware of hazards and take steps to ensure their tap water is safe.

Monitor your source water. Surface water and well water sources should be tested. Please see the resource section below on how to test your water and for private drinking water testing labs. Surface water sources and many ground water sources should be disinfected. For more information, visit Disinfecting Drinking Water. Learn more about registering your well and Water Licenses & Approvals. 

Private water users should be cautious and ensure that strategies and treatments are employed at all times to address all potential hazards in the water supply, including algal toxins.

If you suspect your water is impacted by an algae bloom report the bloom to Algae Watch (gov.bc.ca).
Certain blooms may contain toxins. Review Cyanobacteria Blooms (Blue-green Algae). During a cyanobacteria bloom, consider using an alternate source of drinking water for you, your family, and any pets or livestock. Boiling the water will NOT remove toxins. 

There are occasions (e.g. spills, pollution) when Environmental Public Health becomes aware of risks (bacteriological, chemical, or physical) to source water. Interior Health posts advisories for regulated systems (not private drinking water) on Drinking Water for Everyone.

Stories@IH

Read our latest stories

View All Stories

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Foundation spotlight series: South Cariboo Health Foundation

SCHF supports 100 Mile House & District General Hospital and health facilities, health projects, and the well-being of health-care providers & patients.

/stories/foundation-spotlight-series-south-cariboo-health-foundation

5 Minute Read
Community & Culture
Lillooet Secondary students get head start in health-care careers

Thanks to a collaboration between Lillooet Hospital and School District 74, several local Lillooet students got a closer look into health care as a profession.

/stories/lillooet-secondary-students-get-head-start-health-care-careers

5 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We are IH: Communications consultant learns and grows every day

Nida has long felt called to pursue a communications position in health care. Today, she’s honoured and feels extremely thankful to be living her dream.

/stories/we-are-ih-communications-consultant-learns-and-grows-every-day

6 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
New alcohol screening questions in EDs connect patients & care

A new program in IH emergencies invites patients to share information about their relationship to alcohol, normalizing conversations and creating a safe space.

/stories/new-alcohol-screening-questions-eds-connect-patients-care

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture
We are IH: Indigenous Engagement lead values holding space

Connect with Jade Chaboyer-Kondra to learn more about what inspires her, meaningful experiences she’s had throughout her career, and her life outside of work.

/stories/we-are-ih-indigenous-engagement-lead-values-holding-space

5 Minute Read
Health & Wellness
Get help with alcohol use in the privacy of your home

If you're uncomfortable with your relationship to alcohol, we offer a detox program that's done from home. Learn more about outpatient withdrawal management.

/stories/get-help-alcohol-use-privacy-your-home

STAY CONNECTED

Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!

Sign Up
mail