Treatment for drinking water protects against the many waterborne pathogens—bacteria, viruses and protozoa— that can cause disease, including those that can lead to long-lasting illnesses or even death. These pathogens are the most common health risks associated with consuming drinking water. They may come from recreational, industrial, agricultural, natural, or wildlife sources and can contaminate both surface and ground water; they can also enter the water through the distribution system.
This is why all water suppliers using surface water and/or “ground water at risk of pathogens” (GARP) sources in British Columbia must provide filtration and disinfection.
This section begins by explaining Minimum Treatment Requirements for Small Water Systems for reducing pathogens in your water supply .
Based on what the minimum treatment requirements are for your supply, you will then determine which system would best meet your needs to deliver safe, reliable water to your customers. Your general choice are between centralized and decentralized (or point-of-entry) water treatment systems. The pros and cons of each type of system are discussed in the section Centralized vs Decentralized Water Treatment Systems.
More details about the two options are than discussed in these sections:
- Centralized Water Treatment Systems
- Point-of-Entry Water Treatment for Small Communities in B.C. – Is it the Right Choice for Your Water System?
Whichever of the two options you choose, small water systems are required to ensure that their water treatment systems and components meet certain NSF standards.