Accreditation Program for Operating Authorities

Municipal Drinking Water Systems of Ontario

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB), a federal government organization under Public Works and Government Services Canada, has entered into an agreement with the Ontario's Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to provide accreditation services for the purposes of the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program.

The purpose of the Accreditation Program (hereinafter referred to as the Program) is to recognize operating authorities of municipal residential drinking water systems that demonstrate, through accreditation by an independent third party, that their quality management systems meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard, and to recognize operating authorities that are managing their drinking water systems in a planned and systematic manner.

The accreditation of operating authorities is also a mandatory requirement of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. The MOE requires owners of municipal residential drinking water systems to have an accredited operating authority in place before a licence is issued. As of the day on which a licence is issued, the owner must ensure that an accredited operating authority is in charge of the system.

The benefits of an operating authority's having a quality management system (QMS) include ensuring consistency of practice and operation, and ensuring that everyone associated with the system is striving to reduce the risks potentially affecting the system. The benefits of accreditation include evaluation from a third party, proof of conformity to the requirements of the Standard, and public recognition through an accreditation certificate that an operating authority has a QMS in place.

If you require any further information regarding the program please contact the CGSB Accreditation Program team; oe-oa@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca