“The department monitors pesticide levels in groundwater on a regular basis and makes the results available to the public,” said Minister Sherry. “The detected levels range from 10 to more than 100 times lower than the Health Canada drinking water guidelines.”

The results of the monitoring program are posted on the department’s website.

“Health Canada’s drinking water guidelines set out basic requirements that every water system should strive to achieve in order to provide the cleanest, safest and most reliable drinking water possible,” said Dr. Heather Morrison, the province’s chief public health officer. “Health Canada has been working with the Department of Environment, Labour and Justice and has advised it that any detectable levels of pesticides are well below Health Canada guidance levels.”

The Department of Environment, Labour and Justice regularly monitors air, soil and water quality in the province. As part of that, it has had a comprehensive pesticide monitoring program in place for more than 10 years. Approximately 100 groundwater samples are collected annually from private wells, seniors’ housing facilities, municipal systems and schools. No pesticides were detected in groundwater from the majority of wells across the province.

As well, the department is responsible for approving the construction, modification and operation of public water supply systems to ensure they comply with appropriate engineering standards and sound operating procedures.

“Safe drinking water is of utmost importance to the protection of public health and safety, and we will continue to monitor water quality to ensure it remains significantly below the guidelines,” said Minister Sherry.