Information on objectives for drinking water
This objective document was prepared in collaboration with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water.
The development of a guideline for the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality follows a comprehensive scientific process and takes many years to finalize. In rare instances, new information on a contaminant raises concerns that need to be addressed more quickly than the guideline development process allows. In such cases, Health Canada, in collaboration with the provincial and territorial governments, may establish an objective to reduce exposure from drinking water while a guideline is revised or developed. This is the case with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Drinking water objectives set out a goal for a maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water, taking into account available treatment technology and analytical methods. They are based on a review of scientific research and consider international regulatory information available at the time of their development. Drinking water objectives are externally peer reviewed to ensure scientific integrity.
