New water testing guidelines to be released

New guidelines for testing municipal drinking water will be released at the end of summer, early fall according to New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health.

"[The list] is undergoing a comprehensive overhaul currently," said Dr. Eilish Cleary on Information Morning Fredericton.

"The renewed list is due out before the end of the summer that will look at all the parameters that the municipalities are required to test and also the frequency."

Cleary says that drinking water in the province is acceptable, but the list in use today is dated. She says there are products that are used now that probably were not used when it was introduced.

There is no clear requirement or expectation with regards to comprehensive drinking water for the municipalities

The last time Fredericton did a comprehensive testing of its water supply was in September 2001.

"I'm fairly reassured that the city is looking after their water supply … I'm not overly alarmed that it's been 14 years," said Cleary.

The new list for testing municipal water will ensure comprehensive testing periodically, Cleary said she hopes once every five or 10 years regardless of cost.

"The ability to turn on a tap and and have safe drinking water should not be underestimated that is an invaluable asset and we as a population should be prepared to pay for it," she said.