March 8, 2012

Tested 24/7 for safety

The annual water summary reports show test results in each community for the presence of bacteria, like E.coli, and chemicals such as lead. The reports also outline steps taken to address any adverse test results in the water system that require further testing.

In 2011, Oxford County’s municipal water system produced more than 11 million cubic metres of drinking water. Of the 4,273 samples taken across the County last year, there were eight adverse bacteriological samples in total, all of which produced favourable results when resampled and retested. The County of Oxford issued two boil water advisories last year, one due to contamination through a private home and one that was the result of a watermain break during construction.

Oxford County’s annual water system reports are a requirement of Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act (Reg. 170/03). To view Oxford County’s reports, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/drinkingwater. To learn more about drinking water, visit the Government of Ontario’s web portal for Ontario Drinking Water.

Background

The County of Oxford municipal water system comprises 19 water systems: Beachville, Bright, Brownsville, Dereham Centre, Drumbo, Embro, Hickson, Ingersoll, Innerkip, Lakeside, Mount Elgin, Norwich, Otterville-Springford, Plattsville, Princeton, Tavistock, Thamesford, Tillsonburg and Woodstock.

Tap water in Oxford County is regularly tested for bacteria and more than 70 different chemicals. Tap water offers safety, reliability, and value for your dollar. A typical 500 mL bottle can be filled with tap water more than 1 500 times for $1.00.

Read the full news release
See the Annual Water System Summary Reports