Drinking Water Quality and Testing

Multi-barrier approach for ensuring high-quality drinking water​

Metro Vancouver provides high-quality drinking water through a comprehensive multi-barrier approach. This includes protecting source water supply areas, applying advanced water treatment processes, and maintaining water quality throughout the distribution network​. Continuous monitoring and testing at every stage help ensure high-quality and reliable drinking water for the region.

Drinking water quality testing results

Metro Vancouver tests the quality of our drinking water every day, completing more than 169,000 tests each year from across the water system.

Results are available to the public in the annual Water Quality Annual Reports. Volume 1 uses summaries and charts to explain water quality results and highlight any important issues. Volume 2 provides detailed monitoring data, including chemical and physical test results for many water quality parameters.​

Additional testi​ng by your municipality

Municipalities that purchase water wholesale from Metro Vancouver and deliver it to residents and businesses also test for water quality regularly. Check with your municipality if you want to see a water quality report.

Common questions about your drinking water​​​​​

Aesthetic – ta​​​ste, odour, and appearance​​

Drinking water chemi​​​stry

​Contaminants of health an​​​d emerging concern

​Disinfec​​​​tion and microbiology

Corros​​​ion

Regul​​ations

Miscella​​neous