December 12, 2003

By: Dustin Cyril
Website: http://www.water-purification-filters.com

Marland wants Protection for bottled-water drinkers

"I am grateful that my legislative colleagues also see the need to regulate the safety and quality of bottled water," Marland said after the debate on her Bill. "More and more people are drinking bottled water, either because they prefer its taste or out of safety concerns. But ironically, there are no provincial safety or quality standards for bottled water, whereas the Province has very strict, up-to-date regulations for tap water."

Bottled water is regulated as a food product under the federal government's Food and Drugs Act. However, the federal regulations, first written in 1973 with minor revisions in the 1980's, are outdated and badly in need of updating, according to Marland.

"The federal regulations do not go far enough to ensure the safety and quality of bottled water," said Marland. "Even if the regulations are updated as the federal government is proposing, they are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. While regular, the inspections are no match for the round-the-clock testing required of municipal water supplies."

In Peel Region, more than 100,000 tests are performed on the water supply each year. Tap water is tested for 104 chemicals (26,000 tests per year on chemical parameters), and bacterial tests are performed daily for a total of 12,000 tests a year. Measures of pH, temperature, turbidity, chlorine and ammonia are also performed several times a day.
These tests are required by Ontario's Drinking Water Protection Regulation, which applies to municipal water supplies across Ontario.

Under Canada's constitution, the provinces are responsible for the management of water as a resource. The provinces are also free to estab
lish bottled water regulations beyond the federal government's minimum standards, and Quebec has already done so.

Marland, who sponsored a private member's bill on the same subject in 1989, is also pleased that her bill has been referred to the Legislature's Resources Development Committee for further study and discussion.

"I look forward to the Committee's deliberations, which should include consultation with consumers and the bottled water industry," says Marland. "Together, the government and the industry have a responsibility to ensure that bottled water is always safe and of the highest possible quality."

Author Notes:

Dustin Cyril contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.water-purification-filters.com.  Get educated on the benefits of water purification systems and different water filters available.