Rural Water Quality Information Tool

An estimated 25% percent of Canadians, living primarily in rural areas, rely on private wells, cisterns or other sources for their drinking water. A significant percentage of water quality guidelines are exceeded in these water supplies. Private water systems have also had a higher occurrence of bacterial contamination than municipal systems. With the need for access to information regarding assessment of these sources a peer reviewed Rural Water Quality Information Tool was developed by Alberta Agriculture & Food and by former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Internet tool assesses water used for human drinking, livestock water, irrigation or mix water for chemical spraying application by comparing water analysis results against the most applicable Canadian federal water quality guidelines or best available information and provides a printed report. The tool provides references to key background information for further investigation. Sampling, testing and treatment information is also provided.