Groundwater and Surface water quality is compared to drinking water standards and guidelines established by government agencies to protect the health of individuals.

A number of drinking water guidelines are based on Aesthetic considerations (AO: Aesthetic Objectives)  while others are Maximum Acceptable Concentrations (MAC) based on health considerations.

• The Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) document was updated in October 2017 by Health Canada and can be located at:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/alt_formats/pdf/pubs/water-eau/sum_guide-res_recom/sum_guide-res_recom-eng.pdf

• Drinking water guidelines in the U.S. are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and can be found at:

http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/currentregulations.cfm

• In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published drinking water guidelines and these can be viewed at:

http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241548151_eng.pdf?ua=1