According to Environment Canada, good drinking water is free from disease-causing organisms, harmful chemical substances, and radioactive matter. Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality specify limits for substances and describe conditions that affect drinking water quality.
Municipalities are responsible for the drinking water in their area.
They are supposed to provide citizens with safe drinking water. It is also their responsibility to inform the public about pollution risks related to recreational use of water. They do this by collecting water samples and having them analyzed. Results are then compared to the Canadian drinking water quality guidelines to decide whether or not the water is safe to drink, or to swim in. Bottled water is regulated as a food product under the Food and Drugs Act.