| Access to clean, safe drinking water is vital to the wellbeing of all individuals. While the emphasis on potable water in developing countries is well-justified, there are important challenges which remain within developed countries. This holds particularly true for small community drinking water systems (small systems). In Canada, these systems face often unrecognized barriers to meeting regulations for drinking water quality. These barriers can lead to outbreaks of waterborne illnesses, and are attributable to both the capacity of the system and increasing expectations for water quality from regulators. In some small communities, rising expectations have led to unintended, often negative consequences. This research employed a comparative case study approach set within a qualitative framework. In-person interviews were conducted within 14 communities: ten in Atlantic Canada, three in British Columbia, and one in Nunavut. The study explored the transfer and use of knowledge to and from small systems, and the barriers to exchange of appropriate and relevant knowledge within these systems. The research determined that for small systems, knowledge translation occurs most effectively through informal communication networks. Such networks provide novel and system-specific information. The development of such networks is contingent on appropriate networking opportunities, including conferences. In addition, the operator must have the capacity and willingness to create, draw from, and finally maintain such networks. The role of the community and of regulators as providers of professional and emotional support to the operator was determined to influence due diligence positively. Overall, a strengthened focus on small systems is determined to be necessary in Canada. A blanket approach to regulating drinking water is not suited to smaller systems and the current approach should be amended. Potential solutions include developing individual regulatory plans, taking into account the barriers faced in a small system. In addition, the regionalization of potable water systems may provide a feasible solution through economies of scale. |
