Final guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality for aluminum

The Minister of Health has set final guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality for aluminum as follows:

• the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) for total aluminum in drinking water is 2.9 mg/L (2 900 µg/L) based on a locational running annual average of a minimum of quarterly samples taken in the distribution system;
• the operational guidance (OG) value for total aluminum in drinking water is 0.100 mg/L (100 µg/L) to optimize water treatment and distribution system operations. This value is based on a locational running annual average.

Access the Gazette Notice at:
https://canadagazetteducanada.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2021/2021-03-06/html/notice-avis-eng.html#nb2

CWWA’s Drinking Water Quality Committee submitted comments on the Guidelines during the consultation phase in 2019. The original proposed operational guideline was 0.05 mg/L, which was very concerning to the Committee, and we are pleased to see the final OG set at a more achievable level.

Canadian Water and Wastewater Association