| Drinking water outbreaks continue to occur in Canada despite major advances in public health and water treatment for over a century. The study employed direct interviews with medical officers and experienced public health inspectors (PHIs) in Canada and Australia, and a mailed questionnaire to PHIs in Western Canada to understand current public health practices to assure drinking water safety. Except for a few regional initiatives, public health agencies play a largely reactive role in assuring drinking water safety. While municipal drinking water in cities is generally safe, many small community and non-residential water systems cannot consistently assure safety. Recently, a risk-based quality management approach to drinking water is being adopted in many affluent countries to address similar issues. Safe drinking water represents a major population health primary prevention measure. Public health professionals should be supported and trained to participate in a truly proactive, upstream prevention approach to drinking water safety. |
