DAOD 5022-1, Potable Water Quality Management

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Overview
4. Legislations and Policies
5. Process and Procedures
6. Compliance and Consequences
7. Responsibilities
8. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2025-07-31

Effective Date: 2025-07-31

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession: CFAO 34-6, Water Supplies at DND Establishments

Approval Authorities:

• Chief of Military Personnel (CMP)
• Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure & Environment) (ADM(IE))

Enquiries:

• Director Architecture and Engineering Services (DAES) (for matters pertaining to water supply and distribution systems within the DND Real Property Portfolio infrastructure matters)
• Administrative Response Centre (ARC) (for all other matters)

2. Definitions

contaminant (contaminant)

Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance in air, soil, or water that has an adverse effect.

Note – Any chemical substance whose concentration exceeds background concentrations or which is not naturally occurring in the environment. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 694788)

potable water (eau potable)

Water that does not contain any contaminants in concentrations that may result in adverse health effects and that is safe from a medical point of view for human consumption, preparation of food and all domestic use, including personal hygiene and brushing teeth. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 697001)

3. Overview

Context

3.1 This DAOD outlines the roles and responsibilities of potable water management, and acknowledges the critical importance of water as a resource and its direct impact on public health and safety. This DAOD is shaped by regulatory requirements and the evolving needs of both the environment and the population served. It aligns with national standards, aiming to provide clear guidelines for the provision of potable water.

Objectives

3.2 The primary objective of this DAOD is to set forth comprehensive and enforceable standards related to potable water management. These standards are designed to ensure DND provides potable water in compliance with the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) to all DND employees and CAF members and other water consumers. This DAOD aims to:

1. establish clear roles and responsibilities for water supply, treatment, distribution, and monitoring;
2. ensure regular testing and compliance with health and safety standards;
3. provide a framework for emergency response and risk management related to water quality issues; and
4. foster an environment of continuous improvement and adaptation to new challenges and technologies.

Expected Results

3.3 The implementation of this policy is expected to yield:

1. consistent provision of safe, clean, and reliable potable water to all DND employees and CAF members and other water consumers;
2. enhanced public health and safety through rigorous water quality control;
3. improved efficiency and effectiveness in water management practices;
4. increased awareness and education about water quality issues among stakeholders;
5. compliance with national water quality standards; and
6. a robust framework for handling water quality emergencies.

4. Legislations and Policies

Context

4.1 In addition to direction found under DAOD 5022-0, there are additional materials that can be read in conjunction with this DAOD which varies depending on one’s role. The associated main instruments are:

1. ADM(IE) Potable Water Directive and related policy instruments;
2. Canadian Forces Health Services Directions and guidance policies; and
3. other L1 policies related to potable water such as:
   1. Fleet Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) Manuals (available in English only); and
   2. RCAF – Canadian Air Division Orders, Volume 6, 6-602: Maintenance of CF Aircraft Potable Water System (available in English only).

4.2 Although the specific process can vary between environments, the instruments listed in section 4.1 of this DAOD must meet the requirements set out in this DAOD to ensure the health of DND employees and CAF members, and other consumers of potable water at DND or leased facilities and at CAF operational locations outside of DND or leased Real Property.

5. Process and Procedures

Due Diligence

5.1 DND must demonstrate due diligence in potable water management. This entails implementing all reasonable precautions to prevent harm and establishing effective mechanisms for managing non-compliance and ensuring accountability among managers and employees. Specifically, managers and operators of DND and CAF facilities are responsible for ensuring that potable water meets the GCDWQ. In addition, oversight on GCDWQ microbiological parameters and chlorine residual is achieved through independent verification testing.

5.2 DND will maintain rigorous water quality management practices from the source to the tap in accordance with the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment - Guidance on the Multi-Barrier Approach to Safe Drinking Water, ensuring safety and compliance with the GCDWQ throughout the process.

Independent Verification Testing

5.3 DND must adhere to stringent Potable Water Quality Monitoring procedures in accordance with national accreditation standards for water safety by:

1. ensuring processes are designed to pre-emptively identify and mitigate risk while all water management practices consistently meet the GCDWQ and Guidance for Providing Safe Drinking Water in Areas of Federal Jurisdiction. This includes, but is not limited to, regular training and certification of personnel, rigorous documentation, and adherence to best practices in water treatment and distribution;
2. measuring with a focus on regular monitoring and testing of water quality from source to tap. Any exceedance of the GCDWQ maximum allowable concentration values must trigger immediate corrective actions, rooted in well-defined emergency response protocols; and
3. ensuring that in addition to the potable water quality monitoring performed by the manager or operator of the facility, independent verification testing is performed by CFHS on certain parameters at any point in the supply chain. This dual approach of regular and independent water testing not only helps ensure compliance with national standards but also fosters a culture of excellence and responsibility in water quality management on DND-owned or leased facilities.

Disinfection of Water Supplies

5.4 All water supplies shall undergo chemical disinfection, except when the water is sourced from a municipal water supply system that consistently demonstrates satisfactory quality in terms of bacteriological content and disinfection standards. It is essential to maintain a detectable level of disinfectant residual throughout the distribution system to prevent bacterial regrowth. The specific residual levels for disinfection systems should comply with the recommendations set forth in the GCDWQ.

Microbiological Quality of Water Supplies

5.5 Monitoring E. coli and total coliforms, with levels undetectable per 100 ml is a central component to DND strategy. This monitoring, supplemented by disinfectant residual analysis, varies based on population size, water source quality and treatment methods.

Enhanced Monitoring in High-Risk Situations

5.6 When the circumstances require it, e.g. high-risk events like flooding, extreme weather, or when treatment processes change, monitoring can be intensified to detect and manage any microbiological contamination swiftly.

Boil Water Advisories

5.7 Should E. coli be detected, an emergency boil water advisory shall be immediately issued by the water system operator or Senior Medical Authority (SMA). Similarly, the detection of total coliforms, disinfection failure, insufficient disinfectant residuals, or suspected contamination from a watermain break may trigger a precautionary advisory. These advisories are critical interim measures until water quality is confirmed to meet GCDWQ standards.

Water Avoidance Advisories

5.8 When contamination other than that indicated at section 5.7 is suspected or confirmed through potable water testing the detachment officer commanding or unit commanding officer (exercise or training operations) must protect the health of consumers by immediately seeking the advice of the local SMA regarding issuance of water avoidance advisories and providing an alternative water source, until the water is declared potable by the SMA.

Public Notification of Potable Water Advisories

5.9 Public notifications of potable water advisories to consumers are to be provided by the water system manager or operator. Prior to rescinding potable water advisory approval must be obtained from the SMA.

Fluoridation of Water Supplies

5.10 Water fluoridation is optional since 2007. Details of fluoridation will follow the most current version of ADM(IE) Potable Water Directive and related policy instruments.

Chemical Baseline Analysis of Water Supplies

5.11 The chemical baseline analysis of water supplies shall be conducted every five years unless a sanitary survey or vulnerability assessment indicates a requirement for a shorter time interval.

5.12 This includes an analysis of all chemical parameters with maximum acceptable concentrations set forth in the GCDWQ. Additional testing may be warranted depending on local circumstances, e.g. radiological parameters if warranted, pesticides if used in the watershed, etc. Either aesthetic or operational values should also be considered.

5.13 The baseline chemical analysis may not be required if the same data can be provided from a reliable third-party source. However, testing at the tap is still required for contaminants like lead, which can enter the water through plumbing materials within the building itself and may not be detected in upstream sampling.

6. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

6.1 DND employees and CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. Managers and military supervisors have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of their DND employees and CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

6.2 DND employees and CAF members are accountable to their respective managers and military supervisors for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non-compliance with this DAOD may have consequences for both the DND and the CAF as institutions, and for DND employees and CAF members as individuals. Suspected non-compliance may be investigated. Managers and military supervisors must take or direct appropriate corrective measures if non-compliance with this DAOD has consequences for the DND or the CAF. The decision of an L1 or other senior official to take action or to intervene in a case of non-compliance, other than in respect of a decision under the Code of Service Discipline regarding a CAF member, will depend on the degree of risk based on the impact and likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from the non-compliance and other circumstances of the case.

6.3 The nature and severity of the consequences resulting from non-compliance should be commensurate with the circumstances of the non-compliance and other relevant circumstances. Consequences of non-compliance may include one or more of the following:

1. the ordering of the completion of appropriate learning, training or professional development;
2. the entering of observations in individual performance evaluations;
3. increased reporting and performance monitoring;
4. the withdrawal of any authority provided under this DAOD to a DND employee or CAF member;
5. the reporting of suspected offences to responsible law enforcement agencies;
6. the application of specific consequences as set out in applicable laws, codes of conduct, and DND and CAF policies and instructions;
7. other administrative action, including the imposition of disciplinary measures, for a DND employee;
8. other administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member; and
9. the imposition of liability on the part of His Majesty in right of Canada, DND employees and CAF members.

Note – In respect to the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

7. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

7.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

8. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Canada Labour Code, Part II, Occupational Health and Safety
• Department of Health Act
• Food and Drugs Act
• National Defence Act
• QR&O Volume I - Chapter 4, Duties and Responsibilities of Officers
• DAOD 5022-0, Potable Water Quality Management

Other References

• Directive on Potable Water, ADM(IE)
• CFHS Advisory 6635-39, D FHP Guidance Regarding Choice of Small Water Filtration Units for Field Applications
• CFHS Advisory 6635-40, Drinking Water Disinfection
• CFHS Advisory 6635-44, Guidance for Drinking Water in Low Occupancy and Closed Buildings
• CFHS Advisory 6695-08, D FHP Guidance on the Application of the New Lead (Pb) Drinking Water Guideline
• CFHS Standard, Guidance Regarding PFAS in Drinking Water
• Fleet Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) Manuals (available in English only)
• RCAF – Canadian Air Division Orders, Volume 6, 6-602: Maintenance of CF Aircraft Potable Water System (available in English only)
• Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality
• Guidance for Issuing and Rescinding Boil Water Advisories in Canadian Drinking Water Supplies
• Guidance for Issuing and Rescinding Drinking Water Avoidance Advisories in Emergency Situations
• Guidance For Providing Safe Drinking Water in Areas of Federal Jurisdiction - Version 3
• Guidance on the Multi-Barrier Approach to Safe Drinking Water, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
• Occupational Health and Safety Directive, National Joint Council
• STANAG 2136, Requirements for Water Potability During Field Operations and in Emergency Situations (available in English only)
• STANAG 2473, Commanders Guide to Radiation Exposures (available in English only)
• STANAG 2885, Procedures for the Treatment, Acceptability and Provision of Potable Water in the Field (available in English only)
• American Water Work Association AWWA (available in English only)