Canadian Water and Wastewater Association eBulletin
 

New Consultation on aluminum in drinking water

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Health Canada has published a new consultation document on aluminum in drinking water. The document recommends a maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) of 2.9 mg/L (2900 µg/L) is proposed for total aluminum in drinking water, based on a locational running annual average of a minimum of quarterly samples taken in the distribution system. An OG value of 0.050 mg/L (50 µg/L) is proposed for total aluminum to optimize water treatment and distribution systems.

CWWA’s Drinking Water Quality Committee is reviewing the document and will provide feedback to Health Canada. The Committee is very concerned about the operational guideline – many utilities will find it difficult to meet the operational guideline seasonally, and treating water to remove or reduce aluminum to meet the operational guideline will be expensive and could create other treatment issues. If you would like to participate in the development of CWWA’s submission, or share concerns please email Kara Parisien at kparisien@cwwa.ca.

Access the consultation document.