With large lakes, Canada is home to one of the world’s largest freshwater reserves, making water an essential resource for residents and entrepreneurs. According to the federal website, approximately 60% of Canada’s freshwater drains to the north, and the provinces of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have 18% of its lake area.
Although rich in water, the government highlights that in many of the settled areas of the country, water is extremely polluted and is either unsuitable for human, animal, and industrial use, and that is one of the main reasons why federal and provincial water regulations are essential to exist.
However, navigation on the local water regulations can be complex, considering each province has its own standards. At the federal level, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Fisheries Act provide laws for protecting water quality, and ignoring them as a company can bring severe consequences, such as fines, operational delays, or reputational damage to the public.
At the provincial level, the regulations bring another requirement, determining, for example, safety rules, environmental standards, industrial operations, sustainable practices, water management performs, and more. To be on the right path, the company must research and apply the standards to balance the company’s and environmental aims.
Federal Legislation
| National Wide | The Canadian Environmental Protection Act |
| National Wide | Fisheries Act |
Provincial Water Regulations
| Alberta | Water (Ministerial) Regulation |
| Ontario | Ontario Water Resources |
| British Columbia | Provincial Acts and Regulations |
| Quebec | Water Atlas |
| Saskatchewan | Water Regulations |
| Manitoba | Water Protection Act |
Drinking Water Regulations
| Alberta | Drinking Water Regulation |
| Ontario | Drinking Water Quality Standards |
| British Columbia | Drinking Water Protection |
| Quebec | Drinking Water Regulation |
| Saskatchewan | Drinking Water Quality |
| Manitoba | Drinking Water Safety Regulation |
Wastewater Regulations
| Alberta | Wastewater and Stormwater Regulation |
| Ontario | Rules for Treating |
| British Columbia | Wastewater Regulation |
| Quebec | Wastewater Regulation |
| Saskatchewan | Wastewater Quality |
| Manitoba | Wastewater Regulation |
Plumbing Codes
| Alberta | Plumbing Code and Standards |
| Ontario | Sewage Systems |
| British Columbia | Plumbing Code |
| Quebec | Plumbing Code |
| Saskatchewan | Plumbing Code |
| Manitoba | Plumbing Code |
Reviewing commercial utility options and costs
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