New Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality were released by Health Canada in August 2012. The previous 1992 Guidelines were updated through the collaborative efforts of a Federal–Provincial–Territorial Working Group specifically appointed for this task. Dr. Tom Edge, Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Water Science and Technology Directorate, served as scientific advisor for the Working Group. The new Guidelines re-affirm E. coli and enterococci limits for fresh and marine water quality. They also provide new guidance for considering aspects like secondary or incidental water contact, faecal contamination of beach sand, and use of faecal pollution source tracking tools.

Contact: Tom Edge, (905) 319-6932, Thomas.Edge@ec.gc.ca, Water Science and Technology Directorate