Biennial Drinking Water Plants Survey

General Information

Purpose

The Biennial Drinking Water Plants Survey is conducted to provide Canadians with national and regional information related to the production of drinking water.

Additional information

This survey collects information on the quantity of water processed by plants that draw raw water from the environment to produce potable water. The plants in the survey range from ones that use complex treatment processes for surface water to ones that use minimal treatment for groundwater. This data will be used to track the state of water supply and demand on a regional basis in Canada and to develop environmental accounts.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

NOTE: This document was created for information only. To see the actual questionnaire, please refer to the PDF version.

Authority

This survey is conducted under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.

Completion of this questionnaire is a legal requirement under this act.

Confidentiality

By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes.

Data-sharing agreements

To reduce respondent burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data-sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon. The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician and returning it with the completed questionnaire. Please specify the organizations with which you do not want to share your data.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut as well as with Health Canada, Environment Canada and Infrastructure Canada.

For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Record linkage

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the reporting burden, Statistics Canada may combine the acquired data with information from other surveys or from administrative sources. Security of emails and faxes Statistics Canada advises you that there could be a risk of disclosure during the transmission of information by facsimile or e-mail. However, upon receipt, Statistics Canada will provide the guaranteed level of protection afforded all information collected under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Note: our online questionnaires are secure, there is no risk of data interception when responding to Statistics Canada online surveys.

Return procedures

Please return the questionnaire within 60 days. Please mail the completed questionnaire in the enclosed envelope or fax it to Statistics Canada at 1-888-883-7999. If you are unable to complete within 60 days OR if you need help, call us at 1-877-949-9492 or TTY 1-800-363-7629.

The people in the best position to complete this questionnaire are those who are familiar with plant processes, capital expenditures and operating costs. Consultation with various departments within your organization maybe necessary to report the combined total for all water facilities/sources listed in this questionnaire.

The following information for all drinking water production facilities-sources: monthly drinking water production volumes and units of measure, source water types, the proportion of water used by residential and non-residential sectors, methods of water treatment, capital expenditures and operation and maintenance costs.

Drinking Water Plant Information

Drinking Water Plant Information - Question identifier: 1

In 20XX , did your organization own and/or operate drinking water facilities that withdraw water from the environment, in order to treat and/or convey potable water to a permanent community of 300 or more people?

01: Yes
02: No

Drinking Water Plant Information - Question identifier: 2

Indicate which drinking water facilities and/or sources were operational in 20XX (facilities that withdraw water from the environment, in order to treat and/or convey potable water to a permanent community of 300 or more people). In some cases, such as groundwater supplies, there can be multiple water facilities and/or sources associated with its name as opposed to listing each well.

Drinking Water Plant Information - Question identifier: 3

Are there other drinking water facilities and/or sources to be added?

01: Yes
02: No

Drinking Water Plant Information - Question identifier: 4

Please provide the following information for the drinking water facilities and/or sources that need to be added to the list. If there are multiple water facilities and/or sources being reported for the facility and/or source name being added, enter the location and coordinates for the facility that produced the largest volume of potable water in 20XX.

Note: in some cases, such as groundwater supplies, there can be multiple water facilities and/or sources associated with its name.

What is the facility name?

Civic address for this water facility and/or source

01: Address number
02: Street or road name
03: Street type (Rd, Ave, etc.)
04: Name of city
05: Postal code Example: A1A 1A1
06: There is no civic address

Facility Coordinates (decimal degrees)

01: Latitude
02: Longitude

Facility Coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds)

01: Latitude
02: Longitude

Facility Coordinates (Universal Transverse Mercator - UTM zone, eastings and northings)

01: Zone
02: Eastings
03: Northings

Drinking Water Plant Information - Question identifier: 5

Why are any facilities and/or sources, not selected in question 2, no longer operational?

Drinking Water Plant Information - Question identifier: 6

Please provide a reason for the new water facilities/sources you added to your list.

Potable Water Volumes

Potable Water Volumes - Question identifier: 7

Which unit of measure will be used to report volumes of potable water for all facilities and/or sources listed previously in the questionnaire?

01: Cubic metres
02: Litres
03: Mega Litres (1 million litres)
04: Imperial gallons (1 imperial gallon = 4.5 litres)
05: U.S. gallons (1 U.S. gallon = 3.8 litres)

Potable Water Volumes - Question identifier: 8

What were the monthly volumes of potable water produced in 20XX for all water facilities and/or sources listed previously in this questionnaire?

a: January
b: February
c: March
d: April
e: May
f: June
g: July
h: August
i: September
j: October
k: November
l: December
m: Total

Potable Water Volumes - Question identifier: 9

Are the potable water volumes reported metered or estimated?

01: Metered
02: Estimated

Source Water Types

Source Water Types - Question identifier: 10

Of the total volume of potable water produced in 20XX, what is the breakdown of the volume of potable water produced by source water type and the number of production facilities where raw water is withdrawn from the environment and treated and/or conveyed as potable water?

Note:

report the combined total for all water facilities and/or sources listed previously in this questionnaire
indicate the number of production facilities and wells where raw water is withdrawn from the environment to treat and/or convey potable water.

a: Surface water
b: Groundwater
c: Groundwater under direct influence (GUDI) of surface water
GUDI refers to groundwater supply sources under conditions where microbial pathogens are able to travel from surface water to the groundwater source.
d: Total

Sector Use and Population Served

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier: 11

Of the total volume of potable water produced in 20XX, what is the breakdown of the volume of potable water consumed by the following sectors for all facilities and/or sources listed previously in this questionnaire?

Note:

if your organization is a water wholesaler to other jurisdictions please consult with them to provide the volumes of water for lines a., b., and c. below
report the combined total for all water facilities and/or sources listed previously in this questionnaire
when precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimates
consult with other departments within your organization if necessary.

a: Residential
b: Non-residential (industrial, commercial, institutional, agricultural, municipal services and other non-residential uses)
c: Losses from the distribution system (leaks, system maintenance and flushing)
d: Wholesale water provided to other jurisdictions (water transferred to other municipalities or towns, that distributed the water to consumers)
e: Total potable water consumed

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier: 12

What sources of information were used to report the potable water consumption?

Select all that apply.

01: Specific study/analysis for this facility
02: Water billing accounts
03: Other (specify)

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier: 13

In 20XX, what was the number of people served by all the water facilities and/or sources listed previously in this questionnaire?

When precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimates.

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier: 14

Does the number of people provided in question 13 include those served by wholesale water sent to other jurisdictions?

01: Yes
02: No

Sector Use and Population Served - Question identifier: 15

What sources of information were used to report the size of the population served?

Select all that apply.

01: Specific study/analysis for this facility
02: Water billing accounts
03: Census data
04: Other (specify)

Water Treatment Processes

Question 16 help text

Drinking water plants can vary widely in configuration and design. In order to group these systems to aggregate national/regional data the categories of treatment are based on the main treatment processes applied to drinking water in order to categorize systems by common treatment methods i.e., conventional and direct filtration. The categories identify systems that use one type of filtration process, or a combination of filtration processes, or unfiltered systems that only disinfect and systems that disinfect and apply other non-filtration processes. These groups are described below.

a. Conventional treatment

The conventional filtration process generally includes chemical mixing, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation (or dissolved air flotation) and rapid granular filtration (granular media, single, dual or triple media). Granular activated carbon (GAC) can also be used as filter media.

The category "conventional treatment" can also include sand ballasted and integrated systems that apply processes of coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation (with granular media filtration). Conventional treatment can include Biofiltration, which typically are rapid-rate filters in conventional treatment plants which have developed a biofilm capable of degrading organic matter.

Includes any disinfection system: Chlorination (hypochlorites or chlorine gas), chlorine dioxide, chloramination, uv-irradation, ozonation (at least one is applied for primary and/or secondary disinfection).

b. Direct filtration

The direct filtration process includes coagulation and flocculation; however, no sedimentation or flotation is used, and flocculated water proceeds directly to rapid granular filtration (granular media, single, dual or triple media). Granular activated carbon (GAC) can also be used as filter media.

Direct filtration includes "in-line" or "contact filtration" with minimal or no flocculation. Direct filtration can include Biofiltration if filters used in direct filtration plants have developed a biofilm capable of degrading organic matter.

c. Granular media filtration (granular media, single, dual or triple media) - without coagulation

The most common types of media used in granular bed filters are silica sand anthracite coal, used alone or in dual-media combination; an additional layer of garnet or ilmenite sometimes is used in a triple-media configuration. Granular activated carbon (GAC) can also be used as filter media, sometimes for taste and odour reduction in granular beds that serve both for filtration and adsorption.

Granular media filtration can include Biofiltration if granular media filtration (without coagulation) have developed a biofilm capable of degrading organic matter.

Note: Granular media does not imply media such as glauconite (greensand filtration) which is an ion-exchange process. Excludes chemically assisted filtration (coagulation), otherwise would be Conventional or Direct filtration.

d. Membrane filtration (only membrane type systems used)

Any of the following membrane treatment processes:

Reverse osmosis: a high-pressure membrane process originally developed to remove salts from brackish water. The reverse osmosis process is based on diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane as a result of a concentration gradient. Reverse osmosis membranes are considered to be non-porous and are used to remove dissolved solids, such as sodium, chloride and nitrate, from water.
Nano-filtration: a low-pressure reverse osmosis process for the removal of larger cations (e.g., calcium and magnesium ions) and organic molecules. Nano-filtration membranes are also typically considered non-porous and are reported to reject particles in the size range of 0.5-2 nm.
Ultrafiltration: a lower-pressure membrane process characterized by a wide band of molecular weight cut-off and pore sizes for the removal of small colloids, particulates and in some cases viruses. Ultrafiltration membranes typically have a pore size range of 0.01-0.1 µm.
Microfiltration: a low operating pressure membrane process used to remove particulates, sediment, algae, protozoa and bacteria. Microfiltration membranes typically have a pore size range of 0.1-10 µm.

e. Membrane filtration with other filtration systems

Any of the following membrane treatment processes combined with other filtration such as granular media (single, dual or triple media) or slow sand or cartridge/bag.

Reverse osmosis: a high-pressure membrane process originally developed to remove salts from brackish water. The reverse osmosis process is based on diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane as a result of a concentration gradient. Reverse osmosis membranes are considered to be non-porous and are used to remove dissolved solids, such as sodium, chloride and nitrate, from water.
Nano-filtration: a low-pressure reverse osmosis process for the removal of larger cations (e.g., calcium and magnesium ions) and organic molecules. Nano-filtration membranes are also typically considered non-porous and are reported to reject particles in the size range of 0.5-2 nm.
Ultrafiltration: a lower-pressure membrane process characterized by a wide band of molecular weight cut-off and pore sizes for the removal of small colloids, particulates and, in some cases, viruses. Ultrafiltration membranes typically have a pore size range of 0.01-0.1 µm.
Microfiltration: a low operating pressure membrane process used to remove particulates, sediment, algae, protozoa and bacteria. Microfiltration membranes typically have a pore size range of 0.1-10 µm.

f. Other filtration systems

Either cartridge or bag filter or slow sand filtration. Can also be a combination of Cartridge/bag filter or slow sand with Granular media filtration (single, dual or triple media).

Cartridge or bag filter: bag filtration and cartridge filtration are considered to be pressure-driven physical separation processes that remove particles greater than 1 µm using a porous filtration medium. Bag filters are typically constructed of a woven bag or fabric filtration medium that is placed in a pressure vessel. As water flows from the inside of the bag to the outside, contaminants are filtered out of the water. Cartridge filters are typically made of a semi-rigid or rigid wound filament that is housed in a pressure vessel in which water flows from the outside of the cartridge to the inside. Systems can be constructed with either single or multiple filters within one pressure vessel.

Slow sand filtration: the slow sand filtration process generally consists of untreated water slowly flowing by gravity through a bed of submerged porous sand. The hydraulic loading rates are much lower for typical slow sand filters than for rapid granular filtration and range between 0.05 and 0.4m/h. In slow sand filtration, filter effectiveness depends on the formation of schmutzdecke, a layer of bacteria, algae and other microorganisms on the surface of the sand, and the formation of a biological population (biopopulation) within the sand bed.

Granular media filtration: granular media, (single, dual or triple media) with other non-membrane filtration systems such as slow sand or cartridge/bag. Excludes chemically assisted filtration (coagulation), otherwise would be Conventional or Direct filtration.

Includes any disinfection system: Chlorination (hypochlorites or chlorine gas), chlorine dioxide, chloramination, uv-irradation, ozonation (at least one is applied for primary and/or secondary disinfection).

g. Disinfection only

Primary and secondary disinfection:

Primary disinfection is the application of a disinfectant in the drinking water treatment plant, with a primary objective to achieve the necessary microbial inactivation.
Secondary disinfection may be applied to the treated water as it leaves the treatment plant or at rechlorination points throughout the distribution system, to introduce and maintain a chlorine residual in the drinking water distribution system.

h. Disinfection with other chemical addition-treatment (unfiltered systems)

Includes the unit processes (at least one disinfection system) with any other chemical addition-treatment or non-filtration processes (e.g., greensand which is an ion-exchange process). Excludes the unit processes (all membrane or non-membrane filtration processes).

Note: media such as glauconite (greensand filtration) is an ion-exchange process (and is considered a non-filtration process).

i. No treatment

Source (raw) water is conveyed to user without treatment.

j. No disinfection with other treatment

Systems that apply treatment processes without primary and/or secondary disinfection. Excludes any disinfection system: Chlorination (hypochlorites or chlorine gas), chlorine dioxide, chloramination, uv-irradation, ozonation (at least one is applied for primary and/or secondary disinfection or both).

Annex - List of Unit Processes

Configurations of plants will vary as other unit processes (listed below) may (or may not) be used in several of the categories described above. The primary unit processes used to determine each category are disinfection and the main filtration technologies being applied (granular media, membrane and others). Various pre-treatment processes i.e., screening are not included in the main unit processes criteria of the categories.

Disinfection/oxidation:

chlorination (hypochlorites or chlorine gas)
chlorine dioxide
chloramination
uv irradiation
ozonation
application of potassium permanganate (indicate "no" if only used to recharge a greensand filtration system)
other disinfection/oxidation reagents.

Chemical treatment or addition:

fluoridation
alkalinity adjustment for process control
pH adjustment for process control
corrosion control - pH adjustment
corrosion control - alkalinity adjustment
corrosion control - inhibitors.

Coagulation / flocculation and filter aid:

aluminum based coagulant
ferric based coagulant
other coagulant
enhanced coagulation
flocculation.

Clarification/sedimentation:

sedimentation - conventional, tube, plate or high rate
dissolved air flotation (DAF) - conventional or high rate
other clarification (sludge blanket, pulsed blanket, ballasted, solids contact or other).

Filtration:

granular media (single, dual or triple media)
granular activated carbon - used as part of filter media
granular activated carbon - used as separate unit process, or primary filter media
membrane (microfiltration) - 0.1-10 microns
membrane (ultrafiltration) - 0.01-0.1 microns
cartridge/bag
slow sand
reverse osmosis or nano filtration.

Other processes:

aeration - transfer of oxygen or air to water
air stripping - contacting water with air to transfer contaminants to air
lime softening
activated alumina
ion exchange
sequestering
greensand filtration (is an ion exchange process)
powdered activated carbon
other processes (including pre-treatment and screening).

Water Treatment Processes - Question identifier: 16

Of the total volume of potable water produced 20XX, what is the breakdown, by type of source, of the volume of potable water for the following treatment categories for all water facilities and/or sources listed previously in this questionnaire?

Categories are based on main unit processes applied.

'Disinfection system' includes chlorination (hypochlorites or chlorine gas), chlorine dioxide, chloramination, uv-irradation, ozonation. At least one is applied for primary and/or secondary disinfection.

If reporting for multiple facilities that fall under different categories, report the volumes of potable water produced by each treatment category.

a: Conventional treatment

Includes the unit processes (granular media filtration: single, dual or triple media), coagulation-flocculation, clarification-sedimentation, at least one disinfection system. Report integrated and sand ballasted systems that combine processes of coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation with granular media filtration in this category.
Excludes the unit processes (all membrane filtration systems).

b: Direct filtration

Includes the unit processes (granular media filtration: single, dual or triple media), coagulation-flocculation, at least one disinfection system.
Excludes the unit processes (all membrane filtration systems, all clarification-sedimentation processes).

c: Granular media filtration (single, dual or triple media) - without coagulation

Includes the unit processes (granular media filtration: single, dual or triple media), at least one disinfection system.
Excludes the unit processes (all other filtration processes, coagulation).

d: Membrane filtration

Includes the unit processes (any membrane system, i.e., ultra, micro, nano, reverse osmosis), at least one disinfection system. Excludes the unit processes (all other filtration processes).

e: Membrane filtration with other filtration

Includes the unit processes (any membrane system i.e., ultra, micro, nano, reverse osmosis applied with any other filtration processes), at least one disinfection system.

f: Other filtration systems

Includes the unit processes (cartridge filter, bag filter, slow sand filtration used on their own or any combination together, or in combination with granular media filtration: single, dual or triple media), at least one disinfection system.
Excludes the unit processes (all membrane filtration systems).

g: Disinfection only

Includes the unit processes (at least one disinfection system).
Excludes the unit processes (all other chemical addition and treatment processes).

h: Disinfection with other chemical addition-treatment (unfiltered systems)

Includes the unit processes (at least one disinfection system) with any other chemical addition-treatment or non-filtration processes (e.g., greensand which is an ion-exchange process).
Excludes the unit processes (all membrane or non-membrane filtration processes).

i: No treatment

Excludes the unit processes (all treatment processes and all disinfection systems).

j: No disinfection with other treatment

Includes the unit processes (any non-disinfection treatment processes).
Excludes the unit processes (all disinfection systems).

k: Total of potable water by Surface Water

l: Total of potable water by groundwater and/or GUDI

m: Grand Total of potable water

Capital Expenditures

Capital Expenditures - Question identifier: 17

For the current reference period and the previous calendar year (January to December), what were the capital expenditures related to the acquisition and treatment of raw source water for all water facilities and/or sources listed previously in this questionnaire?

Include:

money spent to add, expand or upgrade physical assets such as property, buildings, machinery and processing equipment and infrastructure
capitalized costs related to waste treatment processes i.e., backwash and/or sludge processing and residuals disposal related to potable water production
construction and engineering costs such as installation, retrofitting, contingencies, contractor, engineering and legal and related administrative fees
indirect costs related to capital expenditures such as housing, permitting, land, piloting and education.

Exclude costs associated with distribution.

Report all amounts in Canadian dollars.

01: 20XX capital expenditures (previous year)
02: 20XX capital expenditures (current reporting period)

Operation and Maintenance Costs

Operation and Maintenance Costs - Question identifier: 18

For the current reporting period (calendar year, January to December), what were the operation and maintenance costs related to the acquisition and treatment of raw source water for all water facilities and/or sources listed previously in this questionnaire?

Include:

purchases of materials, chemicals and replacement parts
labour, internal and external staff including laboratory personnel
energy costs
waste disposal and residuals handling costs related to potable water production
analytical / sampling costs
any associated administration and service costs directly related to operation and maintenance such as consultants and contractors
operation and maintenance costs related to waste treatment processes (i.e., backwash / sludge processing and residuals disposal related to potable water production).

Exclude costs associated with distribution.

Report all amounts in Canadian dollars.

01: Materials (chemicals and replacement parts)
02: Labour (internal and external staff)
03: Energy (e.g., electricity, natural gas, diesel, other)
04: Other (specify)
05: Total

Contact person

Contact person - Question identifier: 19

Statistics Canada may need to contact the person who completed this questionnaire for further information. If the contact person is the same as on cover page, please check

Otherwise, who is the best person to contact about this questionnaire?

Feedback

Comments - Question identifier: 20

How long did it take to complete this questionnaire? (Include the time spent gathering the necessary information)

01: Hour(s)
02: Minute(s)

Feedback - Question identifier: 21

We invite your comments about this questionnaire.

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Biennial Drinking Water Plants Survey – 2021