Health Canada recently launched a public consultation on Guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality for radiological parameters. The purpose of it is to solicit comments on the proposed guidelines for Radiological Parameters, the approach used in their development, and the potential impacts of implementing them.

Maximum Acceptable Concentrations (MACs) have been established for the most common radionuclides in Canadian drinking water sources. These MACs are listed in the table below and have been included in the consultation:

MACs for Natural and Artificial Radionuclides

Natural Radionuclides	MAC	Artificial radionuclides	MAC
Total Uranium	0.02 mg/L	Strontium	5 Bq/L
Lead-210	0.2 Bq/L	Iodine	6 Bq/L
Radium-226	0.5 bq/L	Cesium	10 Bq/L
Tritium	7000 Bq/L

With the exception of uranium, these radiological parameters are not included as standards in Manitoba’s Drinking Water Quality Standards Regulation. The MAC for uranium has not changed and remains at 0.02 mg/L, which is the same as is set out in Manitoba’s regulation.

The Office of Drinking water is sharing this document with important stakeholders across the province and recommends that you provide comments on the development of this guideline. The Office of Drinking Water respectfully requests that this consultation link be posted on the Manitoba Water and Wastewater website to provide access to the consultation process by stakeholders in the water treatment industry.

Any questions or comments can be directed to: water-eau@hc-sc.gc.ca

The consultation opened on October 11, 2024, and will close on January 10, 2025.