Newmarket – The Regional Municipality of York scored 100% in Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks drinking water system inspections, confirming York Region’s high-quality water and excellent compliance with regulatory requirements.

“York Region’s top scores over the last five years demonstrate our leadership and commitment to community health and well-being,” said Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and CEO. “It is incredibly important we continue investing in maintaining and improving these systems to manage growth in our communities, enhance the existing system and meet regulatory requirements.”

York Region’s annual 2023 Drinking Water Systems Report includes Ministry inspection results from both the 2023 calendar year and the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year for the Ontario Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Report.

In 2023, 17,309 water quality tests were performed on York Region’s drinking water systems as part of Ministry inspections and 100% were within regulated limits and standards.

The 2022 to 2023 Chief Drinking Water Inspector’s Report’s also showed an overall compliance rating of 99.98% in the samples. One adverse sample in 2022 led to not receiving a perfect score; however, resample results confirmed effective disinfection and no risk to public health or safety.

“Keeping water safe is a 24/7 job. With efforts from York Region, local cities and towns and our neighbouring municipalities, our drinking water continues to be safe, clean and affordable,” said City of Richmond Hill Mayor, David West, Chair of Public Works – Environmental Services. “Residents can rest assured they can trust high-quality water from their taps that consistently meets rigorous standards year after year.”

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, York Region reports annually on quality and quantity of drinking water produced. York Region executes a robust and rigorous approach to protect drinking water, including source water protection, operator training, water treatment, extensive monitoring and testing, as well as emergency preparedness and regular communication with local cities and towns.

In York Region, water is delivered through a two-tiered water system. York Region operates and maintains 15 drinking water supply systems, providing water to all nine local cities and towns. In turn, cities and towns are responsible for designing, constructing, operating and maintaining their distribution systems to deliver high quality water to residents and businesses.

York Region water is safe, clean and affordable. Details of York Region water systems and drinking water quality can be viewed through the online reporting tool at york.ca/DrinkingWater

Key facts

  • York Region operates and maintains $2.7 billion in water assets
  • In 2023, the Region invested $65 million installing, repairing or replacing equipment used to treat, store and deliver safe drinking water
  • York Region has budgeted $563 million for water system rehabilitation and replacement over the next 10 years, including groundwater treatment upgrades supporting the continued delivery of high-quality drinking water

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices