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Drinking water haulers

If you operate a vehicle to transport and deliver drinking water to cisterns and residential properties in Niagara, you must follow these guidelines to ensure water remains safe throughout hauling and delivery.

Water supply source

Water must be obtained from a supply regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act or the Health Protection and Promotion Act, and must meet Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards.

Owners and operators of drinking water systems should consult with the Ministry of the Environment or their local public health unit to confirm any implications of supplying water to hauling businesses.

Operator requirements

  • Protect tanks, equipment, and connections from contamination during storage, filling, transport and delivery
  • Keep all inlets and openings covered and sealed at all times, except when cleaning, emptying or filling the tank
  • Ensure inlets are constructed to prevent entry of insects, rodents, or foreign material
  • Use only lubricants that are food-grade and will not contaminate the water or create a health hazard
  • Use bulk containers that have never transported anything other than water, and sanitize them before use
  • Label containers clearly — "Drinking Water" or "Potable Water" for safe water; "Water Not Safe for Drinking" or "Non-Potable Water" for unsafe water. Lettering must be at least 15 cm high

Sanitizing bulk water containers

Use one of the two approved methods below to sanitize all water-contact surfaces.

Option A: Heat

  1. Scrub with a detergent solution
  2. Rinse with clean potable water
  3. Spray or rinse with hot water or steam at a surface temperature of at least 82°C

Option B: Chemical solution

Spray or rinse with one of the following for at least 45 seconds at a minimum temperature of 24°C:

  • Chlorine solution with at least 200 ppm available chlorine
  • Quaternary ammonium compound with at least 400 ppm
  • Iodine solution with at least 25 ppm available iodine
  • Any equivalent non-toxic sanitizing agent with a convenient test reagent

Safety: Before entering a tank, consult the Ministry of Labour to determine whether confined space precautions are required. Dispose of solution and rinse water in a manner that does not harm the environment.

Delivering water

  • Keep tank covers closed during transport and delivery
  • Do not drag the end of the hose along the ground during delivery
  • Cover delivery hoses and connections with clean single-use protective sleeves
  • Sanitize the hose end properly before filling the cistern
  • Do not place any unsanitized portion of the hose inside the cistern

Sampling and record keeping

Owners and operators must:

  • Take water samples at the point of delivery at least once every three months of operation per year, and test for microbiological quality against Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards
  • Consider testing for chemical or radiological parameters depending on the source supply. Consult your local public health unit or the Ministry of the Environment for guidance.
  • Maintain a logbook to record all dates, times and delivery locations

Have a question?

Contact Environmental Health